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EP1531519B1 - Electrical terminal and electrical protection apparatus containing such a terminal - Google Patents

Electrical terminal and electrical protection apparatus containing such a terminal Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1531519B1
EP1531519B1 EP04354032A EP04354032A EP1531519B1 EP 1531519 B1 EP1531519 B1 EP 1531519B1 EP 04354032 A EP04354032 A EP 04354032A EP 04354032 A EP04354032 A EP 04354032A EP 1531519 B1 EP1531519 B1 EP 1531519B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screw
lever
terminal
indicator
mentioned
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04354032A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1531519A1 (en
Inventor
Yves c/o Schneider Electric Industries SAS Belin
Daniel c/o Schneider Electric Ind. SAS Vanzetto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Original Assignee
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schneider Electric Industries SAS filed Critical Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Publication of EP1531519A1 publication Critical patent/EP1531519A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1531519B1 publication Critical patent/EP1531519B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
    • H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
    • H01R4/363—Conductive members located under tip of screw with intermediate part between tip and conductive member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical connection terminal comprising a cage forming a frame defining an opening receiving a connection pad of an electrical appliance and allowing the insertion of a cable to be connected, a clamping screw for clamping the cable. between the connection pad and either the cage or said screw, and a lever indicating the tightening quality of the screw, said lever being adapted to cooperate with an opening provided in the casing and being movable between a first position in which it indicates a tightened state of the screw and a second position in which it indicates a loosened state of the screw, as well as an electrical protection device comprising such a terminal.
  • the cable terminals tend to loosen sometimes after a long period of service. This loosening causes significant heating in electrical appliances. It is therefore useful to monitor this phenomenon in order to tighten the terminals when necessary.
  • the present invention solves these disadvantages and proposes a connection terminal equipped with a clamp quality indicator system, said system being of relatively simple structure.
  • connection terminal for this purpose, the present invention relates to a connection terminal according to claim 1.
  • the elastic piece is a loosening compensation piece.
  • the aforementioned lever is integral with the aforementioned resilient piece.
  • the elastic piece comprises a spring plate disposed between the screw and the aforementioned connection pad, said plate being deformable by the screw between a convex shape corresponding to a loosened state of the screw and a flat shape corresponding to a state tight of said screw.
  • said lever extends from one end of the plate forming with said plate an angle of about 90 ° in the flattened position of the plate corresponding to a tight state of the terminal screw, and a angle of about 120 ° in the curved position of the spring plate corresponding to a loosened state of the screw.
  • the aforementioned lever cooperates with a recess provided in the housing of the electrical apparatus, so that said lever is retracted inside said recess in the aforementioned first position of the indicator and protrudes from the housing in the second position of said lever.
  • the lever forms a light having two different color zones, one or the other of the two zones being able to be brought opposite the opening provided in the housing, depending on the tight or loose state of the terminal.
  • the terminal comprising a cage made by cutting and folding a metal strip so as to form a frame defining an opening for the insertion of a cable to be connected, a clamping screw for tightening the cable between a connection pad and the bottom of the cage, two closing end branches of the elastic frame of the cage separated in the loosened state of the screw by at least one axial play extending in the direction of displacement of the screw, abutment means determining a first tightening threshold after the first game is taken up at the start of tightening the screw, the cage becoming more rigid when the screw is screwed on further to increase the clamping force beyond said first threshold, and then returning to its initial geometry at loosening of the screw, said metal cage having a double slope elastic structure such that the axial tensile force generated in the bor ne when screwing grows faster in the second slope in the first slope, the passage from the first slope to the second slope is effected after exceeding the first tightening threshold, said terminal being characterized in that the a
  • the elastic piece is integral with the connection pad.
  • the terminal comprises a hooking means adapted to retain the indicator in the second position corresponding to a loosened state of the screw until the screw is in a fully tightened state.
  • connection terminal being intended to be placed in the connection terminal block of an electrical protection device comprising a trigger mechanism, said terminal comprising the preceding characteristics taken alone or in combination, the lever mentioned above is arranged to act on the trigger mechanism of the apparatus from a certain degree of loosening of the screw.
  • the aforementioned elastic piece comprises an elastic blade, said blade having a lever, said lever being integral with said blade, said blade being stressed between the screw and the casing of the apparatus so that the tightening of the screw causes a deformation of the blade causing a corresponding displacement of the indicator to the first position indicating a tight state of the screw, and that said blade biases the screw / terminal assembly upwards by unclamped position of the screw indicated by the second position of the indicator.
  • the blade has a curved shape in the untightened position of the screw and has a flattened shape in the tight position of the screw.
  • the present invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising at least one terminal having the preceding characteristics taken alone or in combination.
  • This terminal B comprises a cage 1, said cage 1 having an upper wall 2, a lower wall 3 and two walls side walls 4,5, said walls forming a frame defining an opening 6 allowing the passage of the connection pad 7 of the apparatus D.
  • the upper wall 2 of the cage 1 comprises a threaded orifice 8 in which a screw 9, said terminal screw, is intended to be screwed.
  • terminal B is of the mobile cage type. In the unscrewed and screwed position of the screw 9, the end of the screw 9 is in electrical contact with the above-mentioned connection pad 7.
  • the terminal B furthermore comprises a spring compensation plate 11 made of spring steel, placed between the end of the screw 9, or screw foot, and the connection pad 7 and intended to compensate for any creep of the terminal B.
  • This compensation plate 11 has, in an unsolicited state ( fig.1 and fig.3 ) a convex shape. This plate 11 stores mechanical energy by crushing during the tightening of the cables ( fig.2 and fig.4 ). This stored energy is released during loosening of the screw, the plate 11 gradually returning to its initial curved shape, thus preventing the loosening of the terminal B.
  • the terminal B also comprises an indicator lever 12 integral with said plate 11 and extending towards the upper part of the housing C of the apparatus.
  • this indicator 13 is a double indicator and has a white area 13a and a red area 13b.
  • the lever 12 has at its end, a single indicator 15, or viewing antenna, said indicator 15 being adapted to cooperate with a obviously 16 provided in the housing C so as to appear protruding from the surface of the housing when the terminal is loosened ( fig.3 ) and disappear in the device profile when the cables are properly tightened ( fig.4 ).
  • connection terminal B said elastic cage as described in the patent EP 1 085 601 , the elasticity of the terminal to compensate for the creep effects of the terminal.
  • This terminal B is composed of a cage 1 made by cutting and folding a conductive metal strip, the latter being folded so as to form a frame of substantially quadrangular section.
  • the inside of the cage 1 has an opening 6 delimited by a bottom 3 joined to two vertical lateral branches 4,5 extending parallel to each other, the lateral branches 4,5 being extended. at right angles through an upper branch 33, 17 through which the clamping screw 9 passes.
  • the cage 1 of the terminal B comprises opposite the bottom 3, two ends 17,33 legs superimposed and separated from each other by a first axial clearance J1.
  • the outer curved branch 33 is connected to the vertical left lateral branch, and has a smooth circular orifice 18 allowing the screw 9 to pass therethrough.
  • the other internal end branch 17 is folded at right angles to the vertical right side branch 1, and is provided with a threaded hole 19 of smaller diameter for the screw 9.
  • a second transverse clearance J2 is provided on the side of the end of the outer branch 33 between the outer wall of the orifice circular 18 and the barrel of the screw 9.
  • the indicator lever 12 is fixed at two points to the cage 1, respectively at a first point 20 located between one of the 4 side walls 4,5 and the outer curved branch 33, and another point 21 located between the other 5 of the vertical walls 4,5 and the internal curved branch 17.
  • the indicator 13 may be completely plastic or not.
  • connection pad 7 is fixed to the bottom wall 3 of the cage 1.
  • this connection pad 7 is formed by a flat portion 22 extended by a portion 23 forming a slight hollow, the two portions 22, 23 being assembled by a circular portion 24.
  • the indicator lever 12 is connected to the elastic band 7 at the level of the upper part of the aforementioned circular portion 24, said lever 12 being integral with said pad 7.
  • the latching system comprises a protruding portion 25 provided on the housing C adapted to cooperate with the indicator 13 so as to hold the indicator 12 in the position corresponding to a tight state of terminal B as long as terminal B is not fully tightened.
  • the indicator 13 provides two functions, namely a first function for indicating the tightening state of the terminal B and a second function for unlocking the mechanism M of the circuit breaker D.
  • a terminal B is shown according to the invention, this terminal B comprising an elastic piece 26, said piece comprising an elastic blade 27 and a lever 12 integral with said blade 27.
  • This blade 27 is stressed between the screw 9 and the casing 28 of the apparatus D at its two ends, so that said blade 27 biases the screw assembly 9 / terminal B upwards in the unclamped position of the screw 9, and that the clamping of the screw 9 causes a deformation of the blade 27 causing a corresponding displacement of the indicator 12 to a position indicating a tight state of the screw 9.
  • the terminal B is not in operation, the spring plate 11 being in an inactive state in which it has a curved shape.
  • the clamping screw 9 is loosened and the portion 13b of the indicator 13 of the indicator 12 is opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C, this position indicating a loosened state of the screw 9 of the terminal B.
  • a conductor 29 is inserted into the opening 6 of the terminal B and placed on the bottom wall 3 of the cage 1 ( fig.2 ). Then, the screw 9 is actuated.
  • the spring plate 11 In case of loosening of the terminal B or creep due to vibrations, the spring plate 11 is biased towards its initial position, ie curved, so as to compensate for the loosening of the terminal B and the indicator lever 12 moves to a position in which the portion 13b is located opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C to signal to the operator the defective quality of clamping terminal B.
  • terminal B illustrated on the Figures 3 and 4 will not be described again because it is the same as that described on Figures 1 and 2 , except that the indicator lever 12 is, on the Figures 3 and 4 movable between a position in which it projects from the housing C ( fig.3 ) in order to signal the loose condition of the terminal B and a position in which the lever 12 is housed inside the recess 16 of the housing C ( fig.3 ) indicating in this position the tight state of terminal B.
  • the horizontal outer branch 33 is parallel to the horizontal inner branch 17 with a uniform vertical offset J1 corresponding to a first set.
  • the portion 13b of the indicator 13 of the lever 12 is not located opposite the orifice 14 of the housing, but it is the part 13a which indicates the loosened state of the screw.
  • the first tightening threshold is reached at the beginning of the tightening of the screw 9 when the end of the internal branch 17 has caught the first set J1 and abuts against the lower face of the outer branch 33.
  • the cage 1 becomes more rigid, and the axial tensile force F in the terminal B increases rapidly with the second slope of curve B (Fig.a). This results in a slight lifting of the outer branch 33 in the direction of the arrow F, which branch 33 is engageable against the shaft of the screw 9 when a predetermined threshold is reached.
  • the indicator lever 12 is moved until the portion 13b of the indicator 13 is opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C so as to indicate the tight state of the screw 9
  • the tightening of the screw 9 is then made impossible, and a torque limiter is obtained to generate a constant clamping force.
  • terminal B is of the fixed cage type.
  • the screw 9 of terminal B is loosened and the portion 13b of the indicator 13 is opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C of the apparatus.
  • the screw 9 is in a tight state, the displacement of the screw 9 having caused the deformation of the upper portion 23 of the strip 7 and the tightening of the conductor 29 between a bearing piece 32 and said strip 7.
  • the deformation of the elastic zone 7 has caused the lever 12 to move so that the portion 13a of the indicator lamp 13 indicates the tight state of the screw 9.
  • the screw 9 of terminal B is loosened and the indicator 13 is retained in a position hooked on the retaining element 25 of the housing C.
  • the screw 9 of terminal B is partly tightened, but the lever 12 remains attached to the housing C of the apparatus D because the clamping is not complete.
  • the clamping is complete and the attachment system no longer exerts its function of retaining the lever 12, said lever 12 having emerged from the retaining element 25 thanks to its elasticity.
  • the indicator 13 is then in a position indicating a tight state of the screw 9, the portion 13a of the lever being opposite the opening 14 of the housing.
  • the attachment system makes it possible to have an abrupt displacement of the indicator 12, the latter ensuring a binary function.
  • the terminal screw 9 is in a loose state and the lever 12 then acts on the mechanism M of the circuit breaker D so as to cause the unlocking of said mechanism M.
  • the indicator 13 indicates the loosened state of the screw 9 terminal 13b by its portion facing the orifice 14.
  • the indicator 12 therefore triggers the trigger mechanism M.
  • This trigger mechanism M is driven in the event of unclamping of terminal B, due to an oversight or other, in case of loosening, or creep of the terminal due to vibration or other.
  • the screw 9 is in a loose state, the elastic blade 26 bearing on the head of the screw 9, polarizes the screw assembly 9 and B terminal to the top of the device and the indicator lever 12 is next to the orifice 14 of the housing C.
  • the screw 9 is in a tight position, the flattening of the blade 26 having caused the movement of the lever 12 to a retracted position under the upper wall of the housing C of the apparatus D.
  • the elastic part used may be a compensating plate in flexion or torsion or twisting.
  • the invention may also be applied to terminals designed to clamp lugs or bars.

Landscapes

  • Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

The terminal has an indicator lever (12) moved between two positions indicating respective screwed and unscrewed states of a binding screw (9). The lever has one end cooperating with an opening (14) in a case (C) of a circuit breaker, and another end fixed to a cushion spring (11). The spring is deformed by the screw movement, between two shapes to relatively displace the lever between the two positions. The screw clamps a cable between a terminal casing and a connection area of the circuit breaker. An independent claim is also included for a safety device having a connection terminal.

Description

La présente invention concerne, une borne de raccordement électrique comprenant une cage formant un cadre délimitant une ouverture recevant une plage de connexion d'un appareil électrique et permettant l'insertion d'un câble à raccorder, une vis de serrage destinée à serrer le câble entre la plage de connexion et, soit la cage, soit ladite vis, et un levier indicateur de la qualité de serrage de la vis, ledit levier étant destiné à coopérer avec une ouverture prévue dans le boîtier et étant mobile entre une première position dans laquelle il indique un état serré de la vis et une seconde position dans laquelle il indique un état desserré de la vis, ainsi qu'un appareil de protection électrique comportant une telle borne.The present invention relates to an electrical connection terminal comprising a cage forming a frame defining an opening receiving a connection pad of an electrical appliance and allowing the insertion of a cable to be connected, a clamping screw for clamping the cable. between the connection pad and either the cage or said screw, and a lever indicating the tightening quality of the screw, said lever being adapted to cooperate with an opening provided in the casing and being movable between a first position in which it indicates a tightened state of the screw and a second position in which it indicates a loosened state of the screw, as well as an electrical protection device comprising such a terminal.

Les bornes de raccordement de câbles ont tendance à se desserrer parfois après une longue période de service. Ce desserrage engendre des échauffements importants dans les appareils électriques. Il est donc utile de surveiller ce phénomène afin de procéder à des resserrages des bornes lorsque ceci est nécessaire.The cable terminals tend to loosen sometimes after a long period of service. This loosening causes significant heating in electrical appliances. It is therefore useful to monitor this phenomenon in order to tighten the terminals when necessary.

On connaît le document EP 1 280 238 décrivant une borne de raccordement du genre précédemment mentionné, ladite borne étant équipée d'un système indicateur de la qualité du serrage. Or, la structure de cet indicateur est relativement compliquée car celui-ci comporte entre autres une came et un élément d'entraînement de cette came.We know the document EP 1 280 238 describing a connection terminal of the kind mentioned above, said terminal being equipped with a system indicating the quality of the clamping. However, the structure of this indicator is relatively complicated because it includes among others a cam and a drive element of this cam.

On connaît également les documents DE-A-4408590 et FR-A-2720863 qui décrivent des bornes comportant un indicateur de la pression de contact monté en translation entre les positions serrée et desserrée de la vis.The documents are also known DE-A-4408590 and FR-A-2720863 which disclose terminals having an indicator of the contact pressure mounted in translation between the tightened and loosened positions of the screw.

On connaît également le document DE-A-4408590 décrivant une borne comportant les caractéristiques du préambule de la revendication 1.The document is also known DE-A-4408590 describing a terminal having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

La présente invention résout ces inconvénients et propose une borne de raccordement équipée d'un système indicateur de la qualité de serrage, ledit système étant de structure relativement simple.The present invention solves these disadvantages and proposes a connection terminal equipped with a clamp quality indicator system, said system being of relatively simple structure.

A cet effet, la présente invention a pour objet une borne de raccordement selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the present invention relates to a connection terminal according to claim 1.

Selon une réalisation particulière, la pièce élastique est une pièce de compensation du desserrage.According to a particular embodiment, the elastic piece is a loosening compensation piece.

Avantageusement, le levier précité est venu de matière avec la pièce élastique précitée.Advantageously, the aforementioned lever is integral with the aforementioned resilient piece.

Selon une caractéristique particulière, la pièce élastique comporte une plaque ressort disposée entre la vis et la plage de connexion précitée, ladite plaque étant déformable par la vis entre une forme bombée correspondant à un état desserré de la vis et une forme plate correspondant à un état serré de ladite vis.According to a particular characteristic, the elastic piece comprises a spring plate disposed between the screw and the aforementioned connection pad, said plate being deformable by the screw between a convex shape corresponding to a loosened state of the screw and a flat shape corresponding to a state tight of said screw.

Selon une caractéristique particulière, ledit levier s'étend à partir d'une extrémité de la plaque en formant avec ladite plaque un angle d'environ 90° en position aplatie de la plaque correspondant à un état serré de la vis de borne, et un angle d'environ 120° en position bombée de la plaque ressort correspondant à un état desserré de la vis.According to a particular feature, said lever extends from one end of the plate forming with said plate an angle of about 90 ° in the flattened position of the plate corresponding to a tight state of the terminal screw, and a angle of about 120 ° in the curved position of the spring plate corresponding to a loosened state of the screw.

Selon une réalisation particulière, le levier précité coopère avec un évidemment prévu dans le boîtier de l'appareil électrique, de manière que ledit levier soit escamoté à l'intérieur dudit évidemment dans la première position précitée de l'indicateur et fasse saillie du boîtier dans la seconde position dudit levier.According to a particular embodiment, the aforementioned lever cooperates with a recess provided in the housing of the electrical apparatus, so that said lever is retracted inside said recess in the aforementioned first position of the indicator and protrudes from the housing in the second position of said lever.

Selon une caractéristique particulière de l'invention, le levier forme un voyant comportant deux zones de couleurs différentes, l'une ou l'autre des deux zones étant apte à être amenée en regard de l'ouverture prévue dans le boîtier, en fonction de l'état serré ou desserré de la borne.According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the lever forms a light having two different color zones, one or the other of the two zones being able to be brought opposite the opening provided in the housing, depending on the tight or loose state of the terminal.

Selon une autre réalisation de l'invention, la borne comprenant une cage réalisée par découpage et pliage d'une bande métallique de manière à former un cadre délimitant une ouverture pour l'insertion d'un câble à raccorder, une vis de serrage destinée à serrer le câble entre une plage de connexion et le fond de la cage, deux branches d'extrémité de fermeture du cadre élastique de la cage séparées dans l'état desserré de la vis par au moins un jeu axial s'étendant dans la direction de déplacement de la vis, des moyens de butée déterminant un premier seuil de serrage après le rattrapage du premier jeu en début de serrage de la vis, la cage devenant plus rigide lors du vissage poursuivi de la vis pour augmenter la force de serrage au-delà dudit premier seuil, et revenant ensuite à sa géométrie initiale au desserrage de la vis, ladite cage métallique possédant une structure élastique à double pente telle que l'effort axial de traction engendré dans la borne lors du vissage croît plus rapidement dans la deuxième pente que dans la première pente, le passage de la première pente vers la deuxième pente s'effectuant après dépassement du premier seuil de serrage, ladite borne étant caractérisée en ce que le levier précité est fixé à l'extrémité libre de l'une des branches d'extrémité précitées.According to another embodiment of the invention, the terminal comprising a cage made by cutting and folding a metal strip so as to form a frame defining an opening for the insertion of a cable to be connected, a clamping screw for tightening the cable between a connection pad and the bottom of the cage, two closing end branches of the elastic frame of the cage separated in the loosened state of the screw by at least one axial play extending in the direction of displacement of the screw, abutment means determining a first tightening threshold after the first game is taken up at the start of tightening the screw, the cage becoming more rigid when the screw is screwed on further to increase the clamping force beyond said first threshold, and then returning to its initial geometry at loosening of the screw, said metal cage having a double slope elastic structure such that the axial tensile force generated in the bor ne when screwing grows faster in the second slope in the first slope, the passage from the first slope to the second slope is effected after exceeding the first tightening threshold, said terminal being characterized in that the aforementioned lever is fixed to the free end of one of the branches; mentioned above.

Selon une autre réalisation, la pièce élastique est venue de matière avec la plage de connexion.In another embodiment, the elastic piece is integral with the connection pad.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la borne comporte un moyen d'accrochage apte à retenir l'indicateur dans la seconde position correspondant à un état desserré de la vis jusqu'à ce que la vis soit dans un état complètement serré.According to another characteristic of the invention, the terminal comprises a hooking means adapted to retain the indicator in the second position corresponding to a loosened state of the screw until the screw is in a fully tightened state.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la borne de raccordement étant destinée à être placée dans le bornier de connexion d'un appareil de protection électrique comprenant un mécanisme de déclenchement, ladite borne comportant les caractéristiques précédentes prises seules ou en combinaison, le levier précité est agencé de manière à agir sur le mécanisme de déclenchement de l'appareil à partir d'un certain degré de desserrage de la vis.According to another characteristic of the invention, the connection terminal being intended to be placed in the connection terminal block of an electrical protection device comprising a trigger mechanism, said terminal comprising the preceding characteristics taken alone or in combination, the lever mentioned above is arranged to act on the trigger mechanism of the apparatus from a certain degree of loosening of the screw.

Selon une autre réalisation de l'invention, la pièce élastique précitée comporte une lame élastique, ladite lame comportant un levier, ledit levier étant venu de matière avec ladite lame, ladite lame étant mise en contrainte entre la vis et l'enveloppe de l'appareil de manière que le serrage de la vis engendre une déformation de la lame entraînant un déplacement correspondant de l'indicateur vers la première position indiquant un état serré de la vis, et que ladite lame polarise l'ensemble vis/borne vers le haut en position non serrée de la vis indiquée par la seconde position de l'indicateur.According to another embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned elastic piece comprises an elastic blade, said blade having a lever, said lever being integral with said blade, said blade being stressed between the screw and the casing of the apparatus so that the tightening of the screw causes a deformation of the blade causing a corresponding displacement of the indicator to the first position indicating a tight state of the screw, and that said blade biases the screw / terminal assembly upwards by unclamped position of the screw indicated by the second position of the indicator.

Avantageusement, la lame a une forme bombée en position non serrée de la vis et a une forme aplatie en position serrée de la vis.Advantageously, the blade has a curved shape in the untightened position of the screw and has a flattened shape in the tight position of the screw.

La présente invention a encore pour objet un appareil de protection électrique comportant au moins une borne comportant les caractéristiques précédentes prises seules ou en combinaison.The present invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising at least one terminal having the preceding characteristics taken alone or in combination.

Mais d'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront mieux dans la description détaillée qui suit et se réfère aux dessins annexés donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple et dans lesquels :

  • Les figures 1 et 2 illustrent, dans deux vues en coupe et partielles, un premier mode de réalisation d'une borne selon l'invention montée dans un appareil électrique et équipée d'une plaquette de compensation, respectivement dans une position desserrée et une position serrée de la vis de borne,
  • Les figures 3 et 4 illustrent, dans deux vues en coupe et partielles, un second mode de réalisation d'une borne selon l'invention, montée dans un appareil électrique et équipée d'une plaquette de compensation, respectivement dans une position desserrée et une position serrée de la vis de borne,
  • Les figures 5,6 et 7 illustrent, dans trois vues similaires aux précédentes, un troisième mode de réalisation d'une borne selon l'invention montée dans un appareil électrique, ladite borne étant élastique, respectivement pour les figures 5,6 et 7 une borne sans levier indicateur, une borne avec levier indicateur dans une position desserrée de la vis de borne et une borne avec levier indicateur dans une position serrée de la vis de borne,
  • La fig.a illustre le diagramme de l'effort de serrage en fonction de la déformation, d'une borne selon l'invention,
  • Les figures 8 et 9 illustrent, dans deux vues similaires aux précédentes, un quatrième mode de réalisation d'une borne selon l'invention, montée dans un appareil électrique et équipée d'une plage élastique,
  • Les figures 10,11 et 12 illustrent, dans trois vues similaires aux précédentes, une borne de raccordement conforme à la réalisation illustrée sur les figures 8 et 9 et équipée en outre d'un voyant à accrochage pour un fonctionnement binaire,
  • Les figures 13 et 14 illustrent, dans deux vues en coupe et partielle, un appareil de protection électrique équipée d'une borne selon l'invention, l'indicateur ayant une fonction supplémentaire de déverrouillage du mécanisme, respectivement dans une position desserrée et une position serrée, et
  • Les figures 15 et 16 illustrent, dans une vue partielle et en perspective, une autre réalisation d'une borne conforme à l'invention, respectivement dans une position desserrée et une position serrée de la vis.
But other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example and in which:
  • The Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, in two sectional and partial views, a first embodiment of a terminal according to the invention mounted in an electrical apparatus and equipped with a compensation plate, respectively in a loosened position and a tight position of the screw of thick headed,
  • The Figures 3 and 4 illustrate, in two sectional and partial views, a second embodiment of a terminal according to the invention, mounted in an electrical apparatus and equipped with a compensating plate, respectively in a loosened position and a tight position of the screw of terminal,
  • The Figures 5,6 and 7 illustrate, in three similar views to the preceding, a third embodiment of a terminal according to the invention mounted in an electrical apparatus, said terminal being elastic, respectively for the Figures 5,6 and 7 a terminal without indicator lever, a terminal with indicator lever in a loosened position of the terminal screw and a terminal with indicator lever in a tight position of the terminal screw,
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the diagram of the clamping force as a function of the deformation of a terminal according to the invention,
  • The Figures 8 and 9 illustrate, in two views similar to the preceding, a fourth embodiment of a terminal according to the invention, mounted in an electrical device and equipped with an elastic band,
  • The Figures 10,11 and 12 illustrate, in three views similar to the previous ones, a connection terminal according to the embodiment illustrated on the Figures 8 and 9 and further equipped with a latching indicator for a binary operation,
  • The Figures 13 and 14 illustrate, in two sectional and partial views, an electrical protection device equipped with a terminal according to the invention, the indicator having an additional function of unlocking the mechanism, respectively in a loosened position and a tight position, and
  • The Figures 15 and 16 illustrate, in a partial view and in perspective, another embodiment of a terminal according to the invention, respectively in a loosened position and a tight position of the screw.

Sur les figures, on voit une borne de raccordement électrique B montée à l'intérieur du boîtier C d'un disjoncteur D. Cette borne B comprend une cage 1, ladite cage 1 comportant une paroi supérieure 2, une paroi inférieure 3 et deux parois latérales 4,5, lesdites parois formant un cadre délimitant une ouverture 6 permettant le passage de la plage de connexion 7 de l'appareil D.In the figures, we see an electrical connection terminal B mounted inside the housing C of a circuit breaker D. This terminal B comprises a cage 1, said cage 1 having an upper wall 2, a lower wall 3 and two walls side walls 4,5, said walls forming a frame defining an opening 6 allowing the passage of the connection pad 7 of the apparatus D.

La paroi supérieure 2 de la cage 1 comporte un orifice taraudé 8 dans lequel une vis 9, dite vis de borne, est destinée à être vissée.The upper wall 2 of the cage 1 comprises a threaded orifice 8 in which a screw 9, said terminal screw, is intended to be screwed.

Sur les figures 1 à 4, la borne B est du type à cage mobile. En position non vissée et vissée de la vis 9, l'extrémité de la vis 9 est en contact électrique avec la plage de connexion précitée 7. La borne B comporte en outre une plaquette ressort de compensation 11 en acier ressort, placée entre l'extrémité de la vis 9, ou pied de vis, et la plage de connexion 7 et destinée à compenser un éventuel fluage de la borne B.On the Figures 1 to 4 terminal B is of the mobile cage type. In the unscrewed and screwed position of the screw 9, the end of the screw 9 is in electrical contact with the above-mentioned connection pad 7. The terminal B furthermore comprises a spring compensation plate 11 made of spring steel, placed between the end of the screw 9, or screw foot, and the connection pad 7 and intended to compensate for any creep of the terminal B.

Cette plaquette de compensation 11 présente, dans un état non sollicité (fig.1 et fig.3) une forme bombée. Cette plaquette 11 emmagasine de l'énergie mécanique par écrasement lors du serrage des câbles (fig.2 et fig.4). Cette énergie emmagasinée est libérée lors d'un desserrage de la vis, la plaquette 11 reprenant progressivement sa forme bombée initiale, empêchant alors le desserrage de la borne B.This compensation plate 11 has, in an unsolicited state ( fig.1 and fig.3 ) a convex shape. This plate 11 stores mechanical energy by crushing during the tightening of the cables ( fig.2 and fig.4 ). This stored energy is released during loosening of the screw, the plate 11 gradually returning to its initial curved shape, thus preventing the loosening of the terminal B.

Selon l'invention, la borne B comporte également un levier indicateur 12 venu de matière avec ladite plaquette 11 et s'étendant en direction de la partie supérieure du boîtier C de l'appareil.According to the invention, the terminal B also comprises an indicator lever 12 integral with said plate 11 and extending towards the upper part of the housing C of the apparatus.

Sur les figures 1 et 2, on voit que le levier 12 comporte à son extrémité libre un voyant 13 apte à coopérer avec une ouverture 14 prévue dans le boîtier C de manière à indiquer l'état de serrage de la vis de borne 9. Avantageusement, ce voyant 13 est un voyant double et comporte une zone de couleur blanche 13a et une zone de couleur rouge 13b.On the Figures 1 and 2 , we see that the lever 12 has at its free end a sight 13 adapted to cooperate with an opening 14 provided in the housing C so as to indicate the clamping state of the terminal screw 9. Advantageously, this indicator 13 is a double indicator and has a white area 13a and a red area 13b.

Sur les figures 3 et 4, on voit que le levier 12 comporte à son extrémité, un voyant simple 15, ou antenne de visualisation, ledit voyant 15 étant apte à coopérer avec un évidemment 16 prévu dans le boîtier C de manière à apparaître faisant saillie de la surface du boîtier lorsque la borne est desserrée (fig.3) et à disparaître dans le profil de l'appareil lorsque les câbles sont correctement serrés (fig.4).On the Figures 3 and 4 , we see that the lever 12 has at its end, a single indicator 15, or viewing antenna, said indicator 15 being adapted to cooperate with a obviously 16 provided in the housing C so as to appear protruding from the surface of the housing when the terminal is loosened ( fig.3 ) and disappear in the device profile when the cables are properly tightened ( fig.4 ).

Sur les figures 5,6 et 7, on voit une borne de raccordement B dite à cage élastique telle que décrite dans le brevet EP 1 085 601 , l'élasticité de la borne permettant de compenser les effets de fluage de la borne. Cette borne B est composée d'une cage 1 réalisée par découpage et pliage d'une bande métallique conductrice celle-ci étant pliée de manière à former un cadre de section sensiblement quadrangulaire.On the Figures 5,6 and 7 , we see a connection terminal B said elastic cage as described in the patent EP 1 085 601 , the elasticity of the terminal to compensate for the creep effects of the terminal. This terminal B is composed of a cage 1 made by cutting and folding a conductive metal strip, the latter being folded so as to form a frame of substantially quadrangular section.

L'intérieur de la cage 1 est doté d'une ouverture 6 délimitée par un fond 3 réuni à deux branches latérales verticales 4,5 s'étendant parallèlement l'une par rapport à l'autre, les branches latérales 4,5 étant prolongées à angle droit par une branche supérieure 33,17 traversée par la vis de serrage 9.The inside of the cage 1 has an opening 6 delimited by a bottom 3 joined to two vertical lateral branches 4,5 extending parallel to each other, the lateral branches 4,5 being extended. at right angles through an upper branch 33, 17 through which the clamping screw 9 passes.

La cage 1 de la borne B comporte à l'opposé du fond 3, deux branches d'extrémités 17,33 superposées et séparées l'une de l'autre par un premier jeu axial J1. La branche recourbée externe 33 est reliée à la branche latérale verticale de gauche, et est dotée d'un orifice circulaire lisse 18 autorisant le passage de la vis 9. L'autre branche d'extrémité interne 17 est pliée en équerre par rapport à la branche latérale verticale de droite 1, et est pourvue d'un trou taraudé 19 de diamètre inférieur pour la vis 9. Un deuxième jeu transversal J2 est prévu du côté de l'extrémité de la branche externe 33 entre la paroi extérieure de l'orifice circulaire 18 et le fût de la vis 9.The cage 1 of the terminal B comprises opposite the bottom 3, two ends 17,33 legs superimposed and separated from each other by a first axial clearance J1. The outer curved branch 33 is connected to the vertical left lateral branch, and has a smooth circular orifice 18 allowing the screw 9 to pass therethrough. The other internal end branch 17 is folded at right angles to the vertical right side branch 1, and is provided with a threaded hole 19 of smaller diameter for the screw 9. A second transverse clearance J2 is provided on the side of the end of the outer branch 33 between the outer wall of the orifice circular 18 and the barrel of the screw 9.

Selon cette réalisation de l'invention et tel qu'illustré sur les figures 6 et 7, le levier indicateur 12 est fixé en deux points à la cage 1, respectivement en un premier point 20 situé entre l'une 4 des parois latérales 4,5 et la branche recourbée externe 33, et un autre point 21 situé entre l'autre 5 des parois verticales 4,5 et la branche recourbée interne 17. On notera que le voyant 13 peut être totalement en plastique ou non.According to this embodiment of the invention and as illustrated on the Figures 6 and 7 , the indicator lever 12 is fixed at two points to the cage 1, respectively at a first point 20 located between one of the 4 side walls 4,5 and the outer curved branch 33, and another point 21 located between the other 5 of the vertical walls 4,5 and the internal curved branch 17. Note that the indicator 13 may be completely plastic or not.

Sur les figures 8 et 9, la borne B est du type à cage fixe. La plage de connexion 7 est fixée à la paroi inférieure 3 de la cage 1. Selon l'invention, cette plage de connexion 7 est formée par une portion plane 22 prolongée par une portion 23 formant un léger creux, les deux portions 22,23 étant réunies par une portion circulaire 24. Dans cette réalisation, le levier indicateur 12 est relié à la plage élastique 7 au niveau de la partie supérieure de la portion circulaire précitée 24, ledit levier 12 étant venu de matière avec ladite plage 7.On the Figures 8 and 9 terminal B is of the fixed cage type. The connection pad 7 is fixed to the bottom wall 3 of the cage 1. According to the invention, this connection pad 7 is formed by a flat portion 22 extended by a portion 23 forming a slight hollow, the two portions 22, 23 being assembled by a circular portion 24. In this embodiment, the indicator lever 12 is connected to the elastic band 7 at the level of the upper part of the aforementioned circular portion 24, said lever 12 being integral with said pad 7.

Sur les figures 10,11 et 12, on voit la borne B des figures 8 et 9, dans laquelle est prévu en outre un système d'accrochage permettant à l'indicateur 12 de prendre deux positions binaires, à savoir une position dans laquelle l'indicateur 12 indique une position serrée de la borne B, et une position dans laquelle l'indicateur 12 indique une position desserrée de la borne B. Le système à accrochage comporte une partie en saillie 25 prévue sur le boîtier C apte à coopérer avec le voyant 13 de manière à retenir l'indicateur 12 dans la position correspondant à un état serré de la borne B tant que la borne B n'est pas complètement serrée.On the Figures 10,11 and 12 , we see the B terminal of Figures 8 and 9 , in which is further provided an attachment system allowing the indicator 12 to take two bit positions, namely a position in which the indicator 12 indicates a tight position of the terminal B, and a position in which the indicator 12 indicates a loosened position of terminal B. The latching system comprises a protruding portion 25 provided on the housing C adapted to cooperate with the indicator 13 so as to hold the indicator 12 in the position corresponding to a tight state of terminal B as long as terminal B is not fully tightened.

Sur les figures 13 et 14, on voit une borne B telle que celle des figures 1 et 2, cette borne B étant montée à l'intérieur du boîtier C d'un disjoncteur D. Dans cette réalisation, le voyant 13 assure deux fonctions, à savoir une première fonction d'indication de l'état de serrage de la borne B et une seconde fonction de déverrouillage du mécanisme M du disjoncteur D.On the Figures 13 and 14 , we see a terminal B such that Figures 1 and 2 , this terminal B being mounted inside the housing C of a circuit breaker D. In this embodiment, the indicator 13 provides two functions, namely a first function for indicating the tightening state of the terminal B and a second function for unlocking the mechanism M of the circuit breaker D.

Sur les figures 15 et 16, on voit une borne B selon l'invention, cette borne B comportant une pièce élastique 26, ladite pièce comportant une lame élastique 27 et un levier 12 venu de matière avec ladite lame 27. Cette lame 27 est mise en contrainte entre la vis 9 et l'enveloppe 28 de l'appareil D au niveau de ses deux extrémités, de manière que ladite lame 27 polarise l'ensemble vis 9/borne B vers le haut en position non serrée de la vis 9, et que le serrage de la vis 9 engendre une déformation de la lame 27 entraînant un déplacement correspondant de l'indicateur 12 vers une position indiquant un état serré de la vis 9.On the Figures 15 and 16 a terminal B is shown according to the invention, this terminal B comprising an elastic piece 26, said piece comprising an elastic blade 27 and a lever 12 integral with said blade 27. This blade 27 is stressed between the screw 9 and the casing 28 of the apparatus D at its two ends, so that said blade 27 biases the screw assembly 9 / terminal B upwards in the unclamped position of the screw 9, and that the clamping of the screw 9 causes a deformation of the blade 27 causing a corresponding displacement of the indicator 12 to a position indicating a tight state of the screw 9.

Le fonctionnement des différents modes de réalisation de la borne selon l'invention va être décrit dans ce qui suit en référence aux figures.The operation of the various embodiments of the terminal according to the invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures.

Sur la figure 1, la borne B n'est pas en fonction, la plaquette ressort 11 étant dans un état non actif dans lequel elle présente une forme bombée. Dans cette position, la vis de serrage 9 est desserrée et la partie 13b du voyant 13 de l'indicateur 12 se trouve en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C, cette position indiquant un état desserré de la vis 9 de borne B. Puis, un conducteur 29 est introduit dans l'ouverture 6 de la borne B et posé sur la paroi inférieure 3 de la cage 1 (fig.2). Puis, la vis 9 est actionnée. Sur la figure 2, on voit que l'actionnement de la vis 9 de borne B a entraîné le déplacement de la cage 1 vers le haut de la borne B, entraînant dans son mouvement le conducteur 29 vers une position de contact avec la plage de connexion 7. Dans cette position, la plaquette ressort 11 s'appuie par deux bords opposés 30,31 sur la plage de connexion 7 et fléchit jusqu'à devenir plate. La déformation de cette plaquette 11 a entraîné le déplacement du levier 12 vers une position dans laquelle la partie 13b du voyant 13 ne se trouve plus en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C mais sous la paroi supérieure du boîtier C. La partie 13a du voyant 13 se trouve alors en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C, indiquant de cette façon, une position serrée de la vis 9 de borne B. En cas de desserrage de la borne B ou de fluage du à des vibrations, la plaquette ressort 11 est sollicitée vers sa position initiale, c'est à dire bombée, de manière à compenser le desserrage de la borne B et le levier indicateur 12 se déplace vers une position dans laquelle la partie 13b se situe en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C de manière à signaler à l'opérateur la qualité défectueuse du serrage de la borne B.On the figure 1 , the terminal B is not in operation, the spring plate 11 being in an inactive state in which it has a curved shape. In this position, the clamping screw 9 is loosened and the portion 13b of the indicator 13 of the indicator 12 is opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C, this position indicating a loosened state of the screw 9 of the terminal B. Then, a conductor 29 is inserted into the opening 6 of the terminal B and placed on the bottom wall 3 of the cage 1 ( fig.2 ). Then, the screw 9 is actuated. On the figure 2 , we see that the actuation of the screw 9 of terminal B has caused the displacement from the cage 1 to the top of the terminal B, causing in its movement the conductor 29 to a position of contact with the connection pad 7. In this position, the spring plate 11 is supported by two opposite edges 30, 31 on the connection pad 7 and flexes to become flat. The deformation of this plate 11 has caused the lever 12 to move towards a position in which the portion 13b of the indicator 13 is no longer opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C but under the upper wall of the housing C. The part 13a the indicator 13 is then facing the orifice 14 of the housing C, indicating in this way a tight position of the screw 9 of terminal B. In case of loosening of the terminal B or creep due to vibrations, the spring plate 11 is biased towards its initial position, ie curved, so as to compensate for the loosening of the terminal B and the indicator lever 12 moves to a position in which the portion 13b is located opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C to signal to the operator the defective quality of clamping terminal B.

Le fonctionnement de la borne B illustrée sur les figures 3 et 4, ne sera pas décrit de nouveau car celui-ci est le même que celui décrit sur les figures 1 et 2, à ceci près que le levier indicateur 12 est, sur les figures 3 et 4, mobile entre une position dans laquelle il fait saillie du boîtier C (fig.3) de manière à signaler l'état desserré de la borne B et une position dans laquelle le levier 12 est logé à l'intérieur de l'évidemment 16 du boîtier C (fig.3) indiquant dans cette position, l'état serré de la borne B.The operation of terminal B illustrated on the Figures 3 and 4 , will not be described again because it is the same as that described on Figures 1 and 2 , except that the indicator lever 12 is, on the Figures 3 and 4 movable between a position in which it projects from the housing C ( fig.3 ) in order to signal the loose condition of the terminal B and a position in which the lever 12 is housed inside the recess 16 of the housing C ( fig.3 ) indicating in this position the tight state of terminal B.

Le fonctionnement de la borne des figures 5,6 et 7 est le suivant :The operation of the terminal Figures 5,6 and 7 is the next :

Dans l'état desserré de la vis 9 illustrée sur la figure 6, la branche externe horizontale 33 est parallèle à la branche interne horizontale 17 avec un décalage vertical uniforme J1 correspondant à un premier jeu. Dans cette position, la partie 13b du voyant 13 du levier 12 n'est pas située en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier, mais c'est la partie 13a qui indique l'état desserré de la vis.In the loosened state of the screw 9 illustrated on the figure 6 the horizontal outer branch 33 is parallel to the horizontal inner branch 17 with a uniform vertical offset J1 corresponding to a first set. In this position, the portion 13b of the indicator 13 of the lever 12 is not located opposite the orifice 14 of the housing, but it is the part 13a which indicates the loosened state of the screw.

Lors du raccordement du câble 29 (fig.7), le premier seuil de serrage est atteint en début de serrage de la vis 9 lorsque l'extrémité de la branche interne 17 a rattrapé le premier jeu J1 et arrive en butée contre la face inférieure de la branche externe 33. Lorsque le serrage de la vis 9 est poursuivi après la mise en butée de l'extrémité de la branche 17 contre la branche externe 33, la cage 1 devient plus rigide, et l'effort axial de traction F dans la borne B croît rapidement avec la deuxième pente de la courbe B (fig.a). Il en résulte un léger soulèvement de la branche externe 33 dans le sens de la flèche F, laquelle branche 33 est susceptible de venir en engagement contre le fût de la vis 9 lorsqu'un seuil prédéterminé est atteint. Lors de cette déformation de la cage 1, le levier indicateur 12 est déplacé jusqu'à ce que la partie 13b du voyant 13 se situe en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C de manière à indiquer l'état serré de la vis 9 de borne B. Le vissage de la vis 9 est alors rendu impossible, et on obtient un limiteur de couple permettant de générer un effort de serrage constant.When connecting the cable 29 ( fig.7 ), the first tightening threshold is reached at the beginning of the tightening of the screw 9 when the end of the internal branch 17 has caught the first set J1 and abuts against the lower face of the outer branch 33. When the tightening of the screw 9 is continued after the abutment of the end of the branch 17 against the outer branch 33, the cage 1 becomes more rigid, and the axial tensile force F in the terminal B increases rapidly with the second slope of curve B (Fig.a). This results in a slight lifting of the outer branch 33 in the direction of the arrow F, which branch 33 is engageable against the shaft of the screw 9 when a predetermined threshold is reached. During this deformation of the cage 1, the indicator lever 12 is moved until the portion 13b of the indicator 13 is opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C so as to indicate the tight state of the screw 9 The tightening of the screw 9 is then made impossible, and a torque limiter is obtained to generate a constant clamping force.

Sur les figures 8 et 9, la borne B est du type à cage fixe. Sur la figure 8, la vis 9 de borne B est desserrée et la partie 13b du voyant 13 se trouve en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C de l'appareil. Sur la figure 9, la vis 9 est dans un état serré, le déplacement de la vis 9 ayant entraîné la déformation de la portion supérieure 23 de la plage 7 et le serrage du conducteur 29 entre une pièce d'appui 32 et ladite plage 7. La déformation de la plage élastique 7 a entraîné le déplacement du levier 12 de manière que la partie 13a du voyant 13 indique l'état serré de la vis 9.On the Figures 8 and 9 terminal B is of the fixed cage type. On the figure 8 , the screw 9 of terminal B is loosened and the portion 13b of the indicator 13 is opposite the orifice 14 of the housing C of the apparatus. On the figure 9 , the screw 9 is in a tight state, the displacement of the screw 9 having caused the deformation of the upper portion 23 of the strip 7 and the tightening of the conductor 29 between a bearing piece 32 and said strip 7. The deformation of the elastic zone 7 has caused the lever 12 to move so that the portion 13a of the indicator lamp 13 indicates the tight state of the screw 9.

Sur la figure 10, la vis 9 de borne B est desserrée et le voyant 13 est retenu dans une position accrochée sur l'élément de retenu 25 du boîtier C. Sur la figure 11, la vis 9 de borne B est en partie serrée, mais le levier 12 reste accroché sur le boîtier C de l'appareil D car le serrage n'est pas complet. Sur la figure 12, le serrage est complet et le système d'accrochage n'exerce plus sa fonction de retenue du levier 12, ledit levier 12 s'étant dégagé de l'élément de retenue 25 grâce à son élasticité. Le voyant 13 est alors dans une position indiquant un état serré de la vis 9, la partie 13a du levier étant en regard de l'ouverture 14 du boîtier. Le système d'accrochage permet d'avoir un déplacement brusque de l'indicateur 12, celui-ci assurant une fonction binaire.On the figure 10 , the screw 9 of terminal B is loosened and the indicator 13 is retained in a position hooked on the retaining element 25 of the housing C. On the figure 11 , the screw 9 of terminal B is partly tightened, but the lever 12 remains attached to the housing C of the apparatus D because the clamping is not complete. On the figure 12 , the clamping is complete and the attachment system no longer exerts its function of retaining the lever 12, said lever 12 having emerged from the retaining element 25 thanks to its elasticity. The indicator 13 is then in a position indicating a tight state of the screw 9, the portion 13a of the lever being opposite the opening 14 of the housing. The attachment system makes it possible to have an abrupt displacement of the indicator 12, the latter ensuring a binary function.

Sur la figure 13, la vis 9 de borne B est serrée et le voyant 13 indique cet état par sa partie 13a se trouvant en regard de l'orifice 14 prévu dans le boîtier C. Dans cette position, le levier 12 n'agit pas sur le mécanisme M de l'appareil D.On the figure 13 , the screw 9 of terminal B is tightened and the indicator 13 indicates this state by its portion 13a located opposite the orifice 14 provided in the housing C. In this position, the lever 12 does not act on the mechanism M of the apparatus D.

Sur la figure 14, la vis 9 de borne est dans un état desserré et le levier 12 agit alors sur le mécanisme M du disjoncteur D de manière à entraîner le déverrouillage dudit mécanisme M. Dans cette position, le voyant 13 indique l'état desserré de la vis 9 de borne par sa partie 13b se trouvant en regard de l'orifice 14. L'indicateur 12 entraîne donc le déclenchement du mécanisme M. Ce déclenchement du mécanisme M est entraîné en cas de non serrage de la borne B, du à un oubli ou autre, en cas de desserrage, ou de fluage de la borne du à des vibrations ou autres.On the figure 14 , the terminal screw 9 is in a loose state and the lever 12 then acts on the mechanism M of the circuit breaker D so as to cause the unlocking of said mechanism M. In this position, the indicator 13 indicates the loosened state of the screw 9 terminal 13b by its portion facing the orifice 14. The indicator 12 therefore triggers the trigger mechanism M. This trigger mechanism M is driven in the event of unclamping of terminal B, due to an oversight or other, in case of loosening, or creep of the terminal due to vibration or other.

Sur la figure 15, la vis 9 est dans un état desserré, la lame élastique 26 prenant appui sur la tête de la vis 9, polarise l'ensemble vis 9 et borne B vers le haut de l'appareil et le levier indicateur 12 se situe en regard de l'orifice 14 du boîtier C. Sur la figure 16, la vis 9 est dans une position serrée, l'aplatissement de la lame 26 ayant entraîné le déplacement du levier 12 jusqu'à une position escamotée sous la paroi supérieure du boîtier C de l'appareil D.On the figure 15 , the screw 9 is in a loose state, the elastic blade 26 bearing on the head of the screw 9, polarizes the screw assembly 9 and B terminal to the top of the device and the indicator lever 12 is next to the orifice 14 of the housing C. On the figure 16 , the screw 9 is in a tight position, the flattening of the blade 26 having caused the movement of the lever 12 to a retracted position under the upper wall of the housing C of the apparatus D.

On notera que la pièce élastique utilisée pourra être une plaquette de compensation en flexion ou en torsion ou vrillage.Note that the elastic part used may be a compensating plate in flexion or torsion or twisting.

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation décrits et illustrés qui n'ont été donnés qu'à titre d'exemple.Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given by way of example.

C'est ainsi par exemple que l'invention pourra être appliquée aussi aux bornes destinées à assurer le serrage de cosses ou de barres.Thus, for example, the invention may also be applied to terminals designed to clamp lugs or bars.

Claims (10)

  1. An electrical connection terminal comprising:
    - a tunnel (1) forming a frame delineating an opening receiving a connection strip (7) of an electrical apparatus and enabling insertion of a cable (29) to be connected,
    - a clamping screw (9) designed to clamp the cable (29) between the connection strip (7) and either the tunnel (1) or said screw (9),
    - and an indicator lever (12) indicating the clamping quality of the screw, said lever being designed to operate in conjunction with an opening provided in the case and being movable between a first position in which it indicates a clamped state of the screw and a second position in which it indicates an unclamped state of the screw, said lever (12) being fixed to a flexible part (11), said part being able to be deformed directly by the screw (9) during its movement between a first shape corresponding to a clamped state of the screw (9) and a second shape corresponding to an unclamped state of the screw (9), said lever (12) comprising a first end operating in conjunction with said opening (14) and a second end fixed to said part (11) in such a way that deformation of the flexible part between the first shape and the second shape generates a corresponding angular movement of the indicator lever (12) between the above-mentioned first and second positions, characterized in that deformation of the flexible part between the above-mentioned two shapes gives rise to an angular movement of the lever between the above-mentioned two positions and that the flexible part (11) comprises a spring plate (11) arranged between the screw (9) and the above-mentioned connection strip (7), said plate (11) being able to be deformed by the screw (9) between a convex shape corresponding to an unclamped state of the screw (9) and a flat shape corresponding to a clamped state of said screw (9).
  2. The connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the above-mentioned flexible part is a loosening compensation part (11).
  3. The connection terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the above-mentioned lever (12) is cast with the above-mentioned flexible part (11).
  4. The connection terminal according to claim 3, characterized in that said lever (12) extends from one end of the plate (11) forming with said plate (11) an angle of about 90° in the flattened position of the plate (11) corresponding to a clamped state of the terminal screw (9), and an angle of about 120° in the convex position of the spring plate (11) corresponding to an unclamped state of the screw (9).
  5. The connection terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the above-mentioned lever (12) operates in conjunction with a recess (16) provided in the case C of the electrical apparatus so that said lever (12) is retracted inside said recess (16) in the above-mentioned first position of the indicator (12) and is salient from the case C in the second position of said lever (12).
  6. The connection terminal according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that said lever (12) forms an indicator (13) comprising two zones (13a,13b) of different colours, one or the other of the two zones (13a,13b) being able to be moved to face the opening (14) provided in the case C, according to the clamped or unclamped state of the terminal B.
  7. The connection terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flexible part is cast with the connection strip (7).
  8. The connection terminal according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it comprises a latching means (25) designed to keep the indicator (12) in the second position corresponding to an unclamped state of the screw (9) until the screw (9) is in a completely clamped state.
  9. A connection terminal designed to be placed in the connection terminal block of an electrical protection apparatus D comprising a trip mechanism M, said terminal B being according to any one of the foregoing claims and being characterized in that the above-mentioned lever (12) is arranged in such a way as to act on the trip mechanism M of the apparatus D above a certain degree of unclamping of the screw (9).
  10. An electrical protection apparatus comprising at least one terminal according to any one of the foregoing claims.
EP04354032A 2003-11-14 2004-09-07 Electrical terminal and electrical protection apparatus containing such a terminal Expired - Lifetime EP1531519B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0313329A FR2862443B1 (en) 2003-11-14 2003-11-14 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL AND ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH A TERMINAL
FR0313329 2003-11-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1531519A1 EP1531519A1 (en) 2005-05-18
EP1531519B1 true EP1531519B1 (en) 2008-02-13

Family

ID=34429990

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04354032A Expired - Lifetime EP1531519B1 (en) 2003-11-14 2004-09-07 Electrical terminal and electrical protection apparatus containing such a terminal

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1531519B1 (en)
CN (1) CN100442599C (en)
AT (1) ATE386347T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004011727T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2300724T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2862443B1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101179161B (en) * 2006-11-08 2011-09-07 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 Distribution block of air conditioner
DE102007006367A1 (en) * 2007-02-08 2008-08-21 Siemens Ag Circuit breaker with terminal
FR2959613B1 (en) 2010-04-30 2012-04-20 Schneider Electric Ind Sas CONNECTING SYSTEM FOR SIGNALING THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF A SCREW TERMINAL.
FR2975232B1 (en) * 2011-05-13 2013-05-10 Schneider Electric Ind Sas DEVICE FOR SIGNALING THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF A SCREW TERMINAL
DE102011051231B4 (en) * 2011-06-21 2022-10-20 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Terminal body, electrical connection terminal and method for producing a terminal body
CN102544828B (en) * 2012-02-08 2014-04-30 上海航天科工电器研究院有限公司 Anti-extrusion connector wiring terminal
CN107579364B (en) * 2017-08-31 2022-09-20 国网河南省电力公司内乡县供电公司 Binding post with screw is become flexible prompt facility
US10431922B2 (en) * 2017-12-27 2019-10-01 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Pin and sleeve device with contact carrier for capturing set screws
US11139136B1 (en) * 2020-05-30 2021-10-05 Regal Beloit America, Inc. Fuse holder with busbar clamp
CN113629427A (en) * 2021-08-04 2021-11-09 国网江苏省电力有限公司淮安供电分公司 A wiring terminal that automatically detects the tightness of the wiring
CN113555699A (en) * 2021-08-13 2021-10-26 陶齐雄 Connecting assembly with function of displaying fastening state
CN114361823A (en) * 2022-01-18 2022-04-15 三门核电有限公司 Anti-loosening terminal strip with indication function

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2702886B1 (en) * 1993-03-15 1995-06-09 Legrand Sa Electrical device with connection terminal fitted with an indicator, such as a terminal block or other.
FR2720863B1 (en) * 1994-06-01 1996-08-14 Legrand Sa Electrical device with connection terminal fitted with an indicator, such as a terminal block or other.
CN2262295Y (en) * 1996-03-18 1997-09-10 常州市新安电器开关厂 Small-sized circuit breaker
FR2758211A1 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-10 Philippe Baron D DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
FR2798514B1 (en) * 1999-09-15 2001-11-02 Schneider Electric Ind Sa ELASTIC CAGE CONNECTION TERMINAL
EP1280238B1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2010-12-08 Hager Electro S.A. Clamping indicator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1617389A (en) 2005-05-18
DE602004011727T2 (en) 2009-01-29
ES2300724T3 (en) 2008-06-16
FR2862443A1 (en) 2005-05-20
CN100442599C (en) 2008-12-10
ATE386347T1 (en) 2008-03-15
DE602004011727D1 (en) 2008-03-27
FR2862443B1 (en) 2006-10-27
EP1531519A1 (en) 2005-05-18

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