EP3758154B1 - Power connection module, with locking/unlocking system of electrical cable endings in the module, terminal block comprising a plurality of independent connection modules - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of electrical power connectors.

More particularly, it concerns terminal blocks.

By “terminal block”, a device ensuring electrical continuity between a cable and another part of the installation. A terminal block, also known as a connection terminal or screw terminal, is an electrically insulated module which fastens together two or more electrical wires/cables, intended to be electrically connected together, and includes an insulating support and at least one component clamp to secure wires/cables.

By “contact” is meant here and in the context of the present invention, an element made of electrically conductive material to allow the electric current to pass.

Although described with reference to a preferred application, aeronautics, and more particularly aircraft wiring, the invention can be implemented in any other application which requires a power connection of a large number of cables/wires. electrical connections between them in a junction zone.

Prior art

FR 1 262 505 A discloses an electrical connection module comprising a body of electrically insulating material with superimposed cavities for housing electrical cable terminations, and two locking plates adapted to slide on the body, each of the locking plates being adapted to achieve common locking of the endings inserted from the same side of the body.

US 2,638,574 A discloses an electrical connection module comprising superimposed electrically conductive tubes, each adapted to connect at least one contact of one of electrical cable terminations to another electrically conductive element, and two sliding locking plates, each of the locking plates being adapted to achieve common locking of the terminations inserted from the same side of the body.

One of the aircraft wiring operations consists of electrically connecting a large number of power cables/wires together.

This operation is usually carried out using a screw terminal block, fixed to the structure of the aircraft, and into which the plurality of cables/electric wires is inserted then fixed by tightening.

We represented in figures 1 and 2 , an example of such an existing terminal block, generally designated by the reference 1, which is designed to connect two or more electrical cables 2 equipped with lugs 20 at their ends by a screw-nut system.

This terminal block 1 firstly comprises an electrically insulating support 10 in which are fixed terminal screws 11 which each form with a nut 12 a screw-nut system for tightening the terminals 20 equipping the cables 2.

An electrically conductive washer 13, of corrugated washer, is provided for each screw-nut system.

An electrically conductive bar 14 is crossed by each terminal screw 11. This bar 14 forms a support surface for the cable lugs 20 and thus constitutes an electrical shunt between the cables 2 to be electrically connected. This plate 14 is optional and each screw 11 is electrically independent. Alternatively, the plate 14 may only extend over a portion of its length and electrically connect only a portion of the screws.

The support 10 is fixed to an aircraft structure S by column screws 15.

A cover 16 held by the column screws 15 forms a protective cover for the screw-nut systems 11, 12.

As the terminal block 1 is not waterproof, an additional cover commonly called an “umbrella” is attached to the structure of the aircraft, above the terminal block to prevent condensed humidity from streaming directly onto the cables 2 connected in the terminal block. . In addition to this non-watertight appearance, such a screw terminal block 1 has numerous major drawbacks.

First of all, the lugs 20 must be perfectly oriented to be threaded around the terminal screws 11 for a satisfactory electrical connection. Most of the time this involves an operator having to untwist the cables 2.

The overlength of the cables, that is to say the additional length to the nominal dimension to compensate for variations in wiring, or conversely the underlength is difficult to manage for an operator at terminal block 1, due to the rigidity of the cables 2 which can be secured to several of them, upstream of the terminal block. This extra length is all the more penalizing for an operator when he has untwisted the cables 2.

The number of parts to manage (screws, nuts, washers, shunt bar, cover, umbrella part) for an operator in charge of assembly is significant with, in addition, a high risk of loss of parts which therefore induces a risk of injury foreign, or mechanical debris (FOD Anglo-Saxon acronym for “Foreign Object Damage”) which can cause damage, which we absolutely seek to avoid in the field of aeronautics.

This risk of loss of parts is all the greater as the areas in which the existing terminal blocks 1 are installed have difficult and/or very restricted access and/or a location that is inconvenient for the operator. For example, the insulating support 10 is usually fixed on the ceiling side in the structure of an aircraft.

In addition to the intrinsic screw tightening operations which can be long for a dedicated operator, another operator is systematically dedicated to checking the tightening torques applied for fixing the terminals 20 of the cables.

Also, a screw terminal block requires not putting the cables under tension to avoid electrical risks for the operators in charge of the electrical connection. These risks cannot be completely ruled out during tests to verify proper operation.

So, in the end, the installation time of a screw terminal block is long.

Finally, screw terminal blocks do not allow for modularity because the number of cables 2 which can be connected in a single terminal block is fixed.

There is therefore a need to further improve existing terminal blocks, in particular in order to provide more modularity, to facilitate installation, more particularly in areas with restricted access and/or for a large number of electrical wires/cables to be connected. , and to protect the operators in charge of the connection against electrical risks.

The invention aims to meet all or part of this need.

Presentation of the invention

To do this, the subject of the invention is an electrical connection module according to claim 1.

More preferably, the cavities extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).

According to an advantageous embodiment, the module comprises at least two rows of two cavities arranged one on top of the other. Thus, each electrical cable termination can be fixed and locked in the body of the module independently of the others. Advantageously, the two conductive tubes of the rows of cavities can be electrically connected to each other by an electrical shunt or be not electrically connected to each other.

According to an advantageous variant, the body of the module has a general parallelepiped shape; each locking plate being, preferably shaped substantially in the shape of a U, adapted to slide on the square or rectangular cross section of the module.

The U may comprise reliefs of the reliefs arranged inwards, the lock being adapted to slide on the body between an unlocking position and a locking position in which the reliefs of the lock are inserted in the complementary reliefs of a sleeve of one of the terminations so as to block the latter in translation along the axis (X) relative to the body, in a position of insertion of said termination in the cavity of the body chosen from at least two possible ones. Advantageously, the upper exterior face of the bottom of the U of each locking plate is on the same plane as or set back from the upper exterior face of the module body in the locking position of the plate.

The module according to the invention may advantageously comprise at least one flexible, electrically conductive ring, arranged inside a conductive tube and adapted to be in contact with a contact of an electrical cable termination.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the end of each locking plate comprises at least one lug adapted to hook into at least one clearance provided in the upper and/or lower part of the body, so as to block the sliding of the plate in its locking and/or unlocking position. Advantageously, the body and/or each locking plate includes slots adapted to insert a screwdriver (T), so as to slide each locking plate from its locking position to its unlocking position. The invention also relates to a terminal block comprising a plurality of electrical connection modules such as that described above.

The invention also relates to a terminal block connection assembly comprising a terminal block described above and at least one support rail intended to be fixed to a structure, in particular an aircraft structure.

• le bornier comprend au moins un module de connexion électrique, en matériau électriquement isolant, d'axe longitudinal (X) comprenant en outre ;
  • au moins un pion de positionnement faisant saillie du corps vers l'extérieur du module,
  • au moins une plaque de verrouillage, adaptée pour coulisser sur le corps entre une position de verrouillage et une position de déverrouillage, la plaque de verrouillage comprenant un relief de verrouillage;
• le rail support rail-support comprend :
  • au moins une rainure d'insertion, adaptée pour insérer le pion de positionnement,
  • au moins une rainure de fixation dans le prolongement de la rainure d'insertion, la rainure de fixation étant adaptée pour permettre la fixation du module par translation du pion de positionnement depuis la rainure d'insertion ;
  • au moins un relief de verrouillage adaptée pour coopérer avec le relief complémentaire de verrouillage de la plaque lors de la translation du pion de positionnement de sorte à faire coulisser la plaque de sa position de déverrouillage vers sa position de verrouillage, et ainsi à verrouiller la fixation du module de connexion sur le rail-support.

Advantageously, in this set:

• the terminal block comprises at least one electrical connection module, made of electrically insulating material, with a longitudinal axis (X) further comprising;
  • at least one positioning pin projecting from the body towards the outside of the module,
  • at least one locking plate, adapted to slide on the body between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking plate comprising a locking relief;
• the support rail support rail includes:
  • at least one insertion groove, adapted to insert the positioning pin,
  • at least one fixing groove in the extension of the insertion groove, the fixing groove being adapted to allow the fixing of the module by translation of the positioning pin from the insertion groove;
  • at least one locking relief adapted to cooperate with the complementary locking relief of the plate during the translation of the positioning pin so as to slide the plate from its unlocking position to its locking position, and thus to lock the fixing of the connection module on the support rail.

The invention finally relates to an aircraft structure and at least one terminal block as above, the terminal block being fixed to the aircraft structure.

In other words, the invention essentially consists of a connection module whose body is provided with cavities in each of which an electrical cable termination can be inserted which can be fixed and locked by sliding/translating a locking plate on the body.

This translation ensures individual locking to the module of each electrical cable termination.

All electrical cable terminations fixed and thus locked create the desired electrical connections between them.

• une amélioration des temps d'installation des câbles électriques dans une structure, notamment une structure d'aéronef par un système de montage rapide qui peut être mis en oeuvre sans outil ;
• un accouplement individuel de chaque terminaison électrique dans un module de connexion mono ou multi cavités ;
• la suppression des problèmes d'orientation des câbles en remplaçant les cosses usuelles par des contacts cylindriques ;
• une protection des opérateurs contre les risques électriques, du fait qu'ils n'ont plus qu'à manipuler des pièces isolantes électriques (modules, rail) ;
• la suppression dans une structure d'aéronef des pièces parapluies existantes grâce à la solution étanche avec modules de connexion qui loge de manière étanche les terminaisons électriques ;
• l'absence de risque de perte de pièce (FOD pour « Foreign Object Damage »), car la solution selon l'invention est sans pièce détachable ;
• une connexion et déconnexion possibles avec la présence de courant ;
• une grande modularité qui peut facilement s'adapter à différentes configurations de câblage.

The advantages of the invention are numerous compared to the existing one, among which we can cite:

• an improvement in installation times for electrical cables in a structure, in particular an aircraft structure, by a rapid assembly system which can be implemented without tools;
• an individual coupling of each electrical termination in a single or multi-cavity connection module;
• the elimination of cable orientation problems by replacing the usual terminals with cylindrical contacts;
• protection of operators against electrical risks, because they only have to handle electrical insulating parts (modules, rail);
• the removal of existing umbrella parts from an aircraft structure thanks to the waterproof solution with connection modules which seals the electrical terminations;
• the absence of risk of loss of part (FOD for “Foreign Object Damage”), because the solution according to the invention is without detachable parts;
• connection and disconnection possible with the presence of current;
• great modularity that can easily adapt to different cabling configurations.

The applications envisaged for a terminal block according to the invention are numerous, including the wiring of civil aircraft.

Brief description of the drawings

• [ Figure 1 ] represents in perspective view of an example of a screw terminal block according to the state of the art used for electrical wiring in aircraft structures;
• [ Figure 2 ] is another perspective view of a state-of-the-art screw terminal block showing lug cable harnesses connected in the terminal block;
• [ Figure 3 ] is a perspective view of a terminal block according to the invention with different connection modules, of different sizes, fixed and locked to an electrically insulating rail;
• [ Figure 4 ] is a perspective view of a connection module according to the invention with two rows of two cavities with electrical cable terminations ready to be housed and connected inside the module;
• [ Figure 5 ] is a perspective view of an electrical cable termination according to the invention before the insertion and fixing of the contact crimped to the cable in the sleeve of the termination;
• [ Figure 6 ] is a perspective and partially sectional view of an electrical cable termination according to the preceding figure in assembled configuration with the contact inserted and fixed in the sleeve of the termination;
• [ Figure 7 ] is a perspective view of an electrical cable termination according to the invention in assembled configuration;
• [ Figure 8 ] is a perspective view of a connection module according to the invention;
• [ Figure 9 ] is another perspective view of a connection module according to the invention;
• [ Fig 10A ] is a perspective view from above of a support rail according to the invention;
• [ Fig 10B ] is a perspective view from below of a support rail according to the invention;
• [ Fig 11A ] is a perspective view showing a first step of inserting, fixing and locking a connection module to a support rail;
• [ Fig 11B ] is a perspective view showing a second step of inserting, fixing and locking a connection module to a support rail;
• [ Fig 11C ] is a perspective and partially cutaway view showing a third step of inserting, fixing and locking a connection module to a support rail;
• [ Fig 11D ] is a perspective view and partially cut away showing a fourth step of inserting, fixing and locking a connection module to a support rail;
• [ Fig 11E ] is a perspective view and partially cut away showing a fifth step of inserting, fixing and locking a connection module to a support rail;
• [ Fig 11F ] is a perspective view and partially cut away showing a sixth step of inserting, fixing and locking a connection module to a support rail;
• [ Figure 12 ] is a perspective view of a terminal block according to the invention with a connection module fixed and locked on a support rail;
• [ Figure 13 ] is a perspective view showing the step of unlocking and removing the connection module from the support rail according to the invention;
• [ Figure 14 ] illustrates in perspective view and longitudinal section an embodiment of a connection module with two rows of cavities one on top of the other, electrically connected to each other by an electrical shunt internal to the module;
• [ Figure 15 ] illustrates in perspective view and longitudinal section an embodiment of a connection module with two rows of cavities one on top of the other, but unlike the previous figure, without an electrical shunt internal to the module;
• [ Fig 16A ] firstly illustrates, in perspective view, the approach of an electrical wiring termination in front of a cavity of a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Fig 16B ] illustrate secondly, in perspective view, the insertion and locking of an electrical wiring termination in a cavity of a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Figure 17 ] illustrates in perspective view the approach before its insertion and locking of another electrical wiring termination facing another cavity of a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Figure 18 ] is a perspective view and partial section showing a U-shaped locking plate before sliding for locking an electrical wiring termination in a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Figure 19 ] is a perspective view showing a U-shaped locking plate immediately prior to its sliding for locking an electrical wiring termination;
• [ Figure 20 ] is a bottom view, in partial section and detail showing the locking of an electrical wiring termination by a U-shaped locking plate;
• [ Figure 21 ] is a longitudinal sectional view showing the interlocking of two electrical wiring terminations in a connection module according to the Figure 14 , the endings being locked with different inserted lengths;
• [ Figure 22 ] is a perspective view and partial section showing a U-shaped locking plate before sliding for locking an electrical wiring termination in a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Figure 23 ] is a detailed perspective view of the Figure 22 ;
• [ Figure 24 ] is a perspective view from the outside of a configuration according to the Figure 22 ;
• [ Figure 25 ] is a perspective view showing the finalized locking of an electrical wiring termination in a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Figure 26 ] is a perspective and detailed view showing the locking means of the U-shaped locking plate before it slides for locking an electrical wiring termination in a connection module according to the Figure 14 ;
• [ Figure 27 ] is a perspective view showing the unlocking, by means of a screwdriver, of an electrical wiring termination of a connection module according to the Figure 14
• [ Figure 28 ] is another perspective view showing the unlocking, by means of a screwdriver, of an electrical wiring termination of a connection module according to the Figure 14
• [ Figure 29 ] illustrates in perspective view and longitudinal section an embodiment of a connection module with two rows of cavities one on top of the other, electrically connected together by an electrical shunt internal to the module and with a lock common to both terminations inserted one on top of the other in the body of the module;
• [ Figure 30 ] resumes Figure 29 but with the presence of plugs in two cavities of the connection module body, in order to show the electrical connection between two terminations inserted in the other cavities arranged one on top of the other in the module body;
• [ Figure 31 ] resumes Figure 29 but without an electrical shunt internal to the module;
• [ Figure 32 ] is a perspective view of a connection module according to the invention with a single cavity for an electrical cable termination, intended to be housed and connected inside the module, to an electrical connection bar or busbar secured to the electrically conductive tube;
• [ Figure 33 ] is a longitudinal sectional view of the Figure 32 .

detailed description

Throughout this application, the terms “vertical”, “lower”, “upper”, “bottom”, “top”, “below” and “above” are to be understood by reference in relation to a terminal block according to the The invention with an electrical connection module in configuration fixed to a support rail arranged horizontally.

Likewise, the terms “internal” and “external” are to be understood in relation to a body of an electrical connection module according to the invention.

For the sake of clarity, the same numerical reference is used for the same element of an electric cable according to the state of the art and an electric cable according to the invention.

THE figures 1 and 2 have already been described in detail in the preamble. They will therefore not be commented on below.

We represented on the Figure 3 an example of a terminal block according to the invention, generally designated by the reference 1.

This terminal block 1 comprises a plurality of electrical connection modules 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 with an electrically insulating body 30 of longitudinal axis insulating, but also electrically conductive to ensure a common ground or for reasons of protection against electromagnetic interference.

Each electrical connection module 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 is intended to accommodate, lock and connect electrical cable terminations 4 together.

As illustrated, the modules are of different dimensions with a different number of cavities to accommodate electrical cable terminations 4 of different sizes.

More precisely, the electrical connection modules 3.1 comprise a body 30 with a single row of two cavities 31 facing each other, each cavity 31 being of a first size.

The electrical connection modules 3.2 comprise a body 30 with two rows of two cavities 31 facing each other, each of two cavities 31 facing each other, each cavity 31 being of a second size.

The electrical connection modules 3.3 comprise a body 30 with two rows of two cavities 31 facing each other, each of two cavities 31 facing each other, each cavity 31 being of the same first size as the cavities 31 of modules 3.1

There Figure 4 shows an electrical connection module 3 with two rows one on top of the other of two facing cavities 31, in which electrical cable terminations 4 are ready to be inserted and locked.

An electrical cable termination 4 with a central axis retention 42.

The sleeve 40 finally comprises, on its outer periphery, grooves 43 which extend around the axis X1 over part of the length of the sleeve.

The exterior of an electrical connection module 3 according to the invention is illustrated alone in figures 8 and 9 .

The body 30 of a connection module 3 internally comprises at least one row of two cavities 31 of the same size facing each other, intended to electrically connect two electrical cable terminations 4 together as explained below .

A first locking plate 32 of general U shape is slidably mounted on the central part of the body 30, in a direction transverse to the axis X of the module 3. As detailed below, this first locking plate 32 is intended to come and lock the module 3 on the support rail 10 by means of hooking projections 33 provided individually inside each branch of the U.

Positioning pins 34 project from the underside of the body 30. As illustrated, these pins 34 have a general T-shaped section with an enlarged base compared to the part above forming the junction with the underside of the body 30 In the illustrated embodiments, two pins 34 at a distance from each other project from below the body 30. It goes without saying that a single positioning pin 34 or a number greater than 2 can be provided.

Two second locking plates 35 are each slidably mounted on an end part of the body 30, in a direction transverse to the axis X of the module 3. As detailed below, each second locking plate 35 is intended to lock an electrical cable termination 4 inside a cavity 31 of the underside of the body 30, once inserted into the latter.

Two third locking plates 36 are each slidably mounted on an end part of the body 30 inside a plate 35, in a direction transverse to the axis X of the module 3.

As detailed below, each third locking plate 36 is intended to lock an electrical cable termination 4 inside a cavity 31 on top of the body 30, once inserted into the latter.

Helical springs 37 are housed between the body 30 and the bottom of the U of the first locking plate 32.

These helical springs 37 serve as means of maintaining this locking plate 32 in its locking position by returning this locking plate 32 from its unlocking position to its locking position as detailed below. As illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B , the support rail 10 comprises a plurality of through grooves between its upper face 100 and its lower face 101.

• des rainures d'insertion 102 dont la section de chacune est plus large que celle d'un pion de positionnement 34 d'un module de connexion 3,
• des rainures de fixation 103 chacune dans le prolongement d'une rainure d'insertion 102 dans le sens de la largeur du rail-support 10, et dont la section est moins large que celle d'un pion de positionnement 34 d'un module de connexion 3, avec une hauteur moindre qui permet de bloquer le pion 34 également selon l'axe Z ;
• des rainures de verrouillage 104 à l'intérieur de chacune desquelles est ménagé un ergot de verrouillage 105.

The through grooves are:

• insertion grooves 102, each of which has a section wider than that of a positioning pin 34 of a connection module 3,
• fixing grooves 103 each in the extension of an insertion groove 102 in the direction of the width of the support rail 10, and whose section is narrower than that of a positioning pin 34 of a module of connection 3, with a lower height which allows the pin 34 to be blocked also along the Z axis;
• locking grooves 104 inside each of which a locking lug 105 is provided.

Each insertion groove 102 is adjacent to a fixing groove 103 in the width direction of the rail.

Two insertion grooves 102 and fixing grooves 103 adjacent in the direction of the width of the support rail 10 are separated in the direction of the width of the support rail 10 by a distance equal to the distance separating two positioning pins 34.

Two non-contiguous locking half-grooves 104, of width equal to half of the latter in the direction of the length of the rail 10, are separated in the direction of the length of the support rail 10 by a distance equal to the distance separating the two projections 33 of the locking plate 32.

Two pairs, each consisting of an insertion groove 102 and a fixing groove 103 in the extension, are separated in the direction of the length of the rail by a distance equal to the distance separating the two positioning pins 34.

Thus, a complete pattern of insertion, fixing and locking of a connection module 3 on the support rail 10 consists of two pairs each consisting of an insertion groove 102 and a fixing groove 103 aligned, and two non-contiguous locking half-grooves 104 separated by the two aforementioned pairs.

We now describe with reference to Figures 11A to 11F , the method of fixing and locking a connection module 3 to a support rail 10 in accordance with the invention.

Step a/: the operator approaches a connection module 3 directly above the support rail 10 by facing each positioning pin 34 with an insertion groove 102 ( Figure 11A ).

Step b/: the operator then centers and inserts each positioning pin 34 into an insertion groove 102 ( Figure 11B ).

Once the insertion is finished, the bottom of the connection module 3 abuts on the top face 100 of the rail 10.

Step c/: the operator then translates the connection module 3 along its longitudinal axis X, which causes the translation of each positioning pin 34 in a fixing groove 103 ( Figure 11C ).

This translation simultaneously causes mechanical contact between at least one of the branches of the U of the locking plate 32 which then slides on the locking lug 105 ( Figures 11C, 11D ). More precisely, the locking projection 33 slides on the underside of the lug 105 ( Figure 11D ).

Step d/: the translation is continued until at least one positioning pin 34 abuts against the bottom of the fixing groove 103 ( Figures 11E, 11F ). In this position, the locking plate 32 rises to the high position thanks to the return force of the helical spring(s) 37.

The plate 32 and thereby the connection module 3 are then locked to the support rail 10 via each lug 105 which hooks a locking projection 33 ( Figures 11E, 11F ).

There Figure 12 shows the connection module 3 in the fixed and locked position to the support rail 10. An advantageous configuration may consist of giving a visual indicator to the operator so that he can quickly check that the fixing and locking have been carried out.

As visible on this Figure 12 , this visual indicator consists of configuring the different fixing and locking elements such that in the fixed and locked position the top face 320 of the locking plate 32 is approximately in the same plane as the top face 300 of the body 30.

If it is necessary to dismantle the connection module 3, that is to say its unlocking and its removal/removal of the support rail 10, the operator proceeds as follows.

Step e/: the operator presses the plate 32 downwards, which causes the projection 33 to disengage from the locking lug 105 and therefore the connection module 3 to be unlocked from the rail ( Figure 13 ).

Step f/: the operator can then translate the connection module 3 in the opposite direction to that of steps c/ and d/, until each pin 34 reaches the insertion groove 102 and thus can be disengaged from it. The module 3 can then be removed by moving it away from the rail 10, that is to say by moving it upwards.

We now describe the assembly with locking of electrical cable terminations 4 inside a connection module 3 in accordance with the invention.

As illustrated in Figure 14 , to ensure the electrical connection between two contacts 40 of two independent cable terminations 4 inside the body 30 of a module 3, an electrically conductive part 38 in the form of a tube is fixed inside the body 30.

This conductive tube 38 thus comprises two cavities in each of which an electrical contact 41 can be inserted with mechanical contact on its outer periphery. Thus electrical continuity between the electrical cable 2 of a termination 4 and the conductive tube 38 is ensured by this contact with the contact 41.

The conductive tube 38 can be provided with at least one electrical continuity wall 380 inside the body 30, also called an electrical shunt, which ensures electrical continuity between at least two rows of cavities 31 one on top of the other in which at least four contacts 41 are inserted, all of which we wish to electrically connect together. In other words, the conductive tube 38 with at least one shunt 380 makes it possible to electrically connect contacts 41 which are inserted into cavities 31 of the body 30 in different rows.

It goes without saying that we can envisage an electrical conductive tube 38 without an electrical continuity wall 380 and thus have cavities of the conductive tube of a row not electrically connected with the other row below or above. In other words, we can provide an electrical conductive tube 38 which makes it possible to electrically connect only two terminations 4 inserted opposite each other in the body 30. This configuration is shown in Figure 15 .

Conversely, we can also consider an electrical conductive tube with an electrical wall which makes it possible to electrically connect together only two terminations 4 inserted one above the other in the body 30.

To improve electrical continuity between a terminal contact 41 4 and the cavity of a conductive tube 38, a flexible electrical multi-contact ring 39 can be arranged inside the latter (as in power contacts).

As illustrated in Figure 14 , the terminations 4 and the cavities of the conductive tube are dimensioned in such a way that in their extreme inserted position, that is to say when the sleeves 40 are in longitudinal abutment against the conductive tube 38, the electrical contacts 41 inserted one facing the other cannot be in mechanical contact. According to the invention, it is advantageously planned to have a locking plate (locks) 35, 36 of a cable termination 4 in a cavity 31 which is independent of all the others for the same module 3.

Thus, in the examples illustrated, a cable termination 4 can be locked in each cavity 31 below by a locking plate 35 which slides around one of the side parts of the body 30, while a cable termination 4 can be locked in each cavity 31 from above by a locking plate 36 which also slides around one of the lateral parts of the body 30 but between a locking plate 35 and the locking plate 32 of module 3 on a rail 10.

The positions of locks 35 and 36 on module 3 can be reversed.

We now describe with reference to Figures 16A to 17 , the assembly method, ie fixing and locking, of two cable terminations 4 by two independent locks 35, 36 in the same connection module 3.

Step i/: the operator slides one of the sliding locks 35 upwards, thus bringing it into its upper unlocking position ( Figure 16A ).

Step ii/: the operator then inserts a cable termination 4 into a cavity 31 below with its contact 41 inserted in contact with a flexible ring 39 in the cavity of the conductive tube 38 released from the lock 35 in the high position ( Figure 16A ).

Step iii/: once step ii/ is completed, the operator translates the lock 35 from its high unlocking position to its low locking position in which it blocks in translation the cable termination 4 in the cavity 31 in which it is inserted ( Figure 16B ).

Step j/: the operator slides one of the sliding locks 36 upwards, to bring it into its upper unlocking position ( Figure 17 ).

Step jj/: the operator then inserts a cable termination 4 into a cavity 31 from above with its contact 41 inserted in contact with a flexible ring 39 in the cavity of the conductive tube 38 released from the lock 36 in the high position ( Figure 17 ).

Step jjj/: once step jj/ is completed, the operator translates the lock 36 from its high unlocking position to its low locking position in which it blocks in translation the cable termination 4 in the cavity 31 in which it is inserted.

The operation of the sliding locks 35, 36 being completely independent of each other, the operator can proceed to steps i/ to iii/ before steps j/ to jjj/ or in a reverse order, i.e. steps j/ to ddd/ first.

THE figures 18 to 20 show in detail an advantageous method of locking a cable termination 4 produced by means of a sliding lock 36 which has just been described. This embodiment is advantageously identical for the sliding lock 35. When sliding the lock 36 downwards, the grooves 360 made inside the sliding lock 36 are inserted into the complementary grooves 43 of the outer periphery of the sleeve 40, which thus locks, that is to say ensures blocking in translation, of the termination 4 in the connection module 3.

In this locking position, the grooves 360 of the lock 36 are therefore inserted between the grooves 43 of the sleeve 40.

This locking mode makes it possible to define a device for taking up an under-length or an over-length of cable 2.

Indeed, depending on the installation conditions in a structure in which a terminal block 1 according to the invention is intended to be fixed, the cables 2 at the end of which the terminations are fixed may have greater or lesser lengths, which may be 'deviate from a nominal length initially defined

By making grooves 43 over a large part of the length of the sleeve 40, blocking by the complementary grooves 360 makes it possible to compensate for the over or under length of the cable 2 by inserting the termination 4 over a more or less significant length.

THE figures 21 and 22 illustrate this way of making up for the under- or over-length of a cable 2 between two possible extreme positions L1 and L2.

The top termination 4 is in a first extreme position of minimum insertion in which its locking in the cavity 31 above begins to be possible because the grooves 360 of the lock can be inserted into the first grooves 43 of the sleeve. In this first extreme position, the sleeve 40 projects a distance L1 outside the connection module 3.

The bottom termination 4 is in a second extreme maximum insertion position in which its contact 41 comes into longitudinal abutment against the conductive tube 38. In this second extreme position, the sleeve 40 projects a distance L2 outside of the connection module 3.

Thus, the lock 36 can lock in translation a cable termination 4 in any of its positions inserted between the first and the second extreme position. In other words, with the locking by complementary grooves 43, 360, we can make up a length of cable 2 substantially equal to L1-L2.

According to the invention, it is advantageous to provide means aimed at guaranteeing the operator that the insertion of a cable termination 4 is correctly carried out.

In fact, if the insertion of the sleeve 4 is made in the first extreme position and beyond this towards the outside of the module, then the grooves 360 of the lock 36 come to bear against a cylinder 45, this is that is to say a zone without streak 45 produced at the free end of this sleeve 40 ( Figure 23 ).

One or more identification markings 44, 361, particularly in color, allow the operator to quickly identify whether the sleeve 40 is correctly inserted and locked in the connection module 3.

These identification markings may consist of a colored ring 44 at the rear of the streaks 43 on the outer periphery of the sleeve 40 and/or in one or more localized marks 361 of the same color on the edge of the sliding lock 36.

Thus, if the sleeve 40 is not sufficiently inserted into the connection module 3, one and/or the other of these color markings 44, 361 remain visible after insertion and, this results mechanically by an impossible locking of the termination 4 by the sliding lock 36 ( Figure 24 ).

On the contrary, if the sleeve 40 is correctly inserted into the connection module 3, one and/or the other of these color markings 44, 361 are no longer visible after insertion and this results mechanically in a possible locking of termination 4 by sliding lock 36 ( Figure 25 ).

In the locking position, the upper exterior face of the lock 36 is preferably in the same plane or slightly set back than the upper exterior face 300 of the module 3. The same is true with the sliding lock 35.

There Figure 26 illustrates an advantageous variant for maintaining each of the sliding locks 35, 36 in their locking and unlocking positions.

Thus, lugs 351, 362 made at the end of each of the locks 35, 36, advantageously at the end of each branch when the locks 35, 36 have a general U shape, hook respectively in recesses 301, 302 provided this effect, when the locks 35, 36 are in their unlocking or locking position.

According to another embodiment, provision can be made to block all or part of the components of a cable termination 4 from rotating when it is inserted into a connection module 3.

THE figures 27 and 28 illustrate a mode of unlocking the sliding locks 36 according to which the unlocking, that is to say the movement upwards from its locking position of a lock 36 can be carried out by a standard screwdriver T.

As emerges from these figures 27 and 28 , the insertion of the tip of the screwdriver T can be inserted into slots 303, 352 provided for this purpose respectively in the body 30 or in the sliding lock 35 which is adjacent. Thus, the lifting of the sliding lock 35 by leverage of the screwdriver T is facilitated.

This insertion is made even easier as it is therefore possible from either side of module 3, which facilitates handling for an operator in areas of difficult access.

There figure 30 shows an electrical connection between two cable terminations 4 inserted and fixed in cavities 31 of the body 30 which are arranged one on top of the other.

This internal electrical connection to the body 30 is made via the electrical conductive tube 38 and its shunt connecting wall 380 between the two rows of cavities 31 one on top of the other.

In such a configuration, one can advantageously provide instead of a cable termination 4, the presence of electrically insulating plugs 5 each inserted in a cavity 31. Each of these plugs 5 can be fixed and locked by a sliding lock 35 , 36, whose interior grooves 350, 360 engage with the exterior grooves 50 provided for this purpose on the exterior periphery of the plugs 5.

• à la périphérie intérieure d'une cavité du tube conducteur électrique 38 au niveau d'une zone de contact avec le contact 41 inséré à l'intérieur, et/ou
• à la périphérie extérieure d'un manchon 40 en bout de ce dernier (figure 30), et/ou
• à la périphérie extérieure d'un contact 41 au niveau d'une zone de contact avec le manchon 40 dans lequel il est clipsé (figure 30).

As illustrated in figures 29 and 30 , the seal between the body 30 of a module 3 and the cable terminations 4 once these are fixed and locked inside the body, can be advantageously supplemented by the presence of O-rings 6. These O-rings 6 can advantageously be arranged:

• at the inner periphery of a cavity of the electrical conductive tube 38 at a contact zone with the contact 41 inserted inside, and/or
• at the outer periphery of a sleeve 40 at the end of the latter ( figure 30 ), and or
• at the outer periphery of a contact 41 at a contact zone with the sleeve 40 in which it is clipped ( figure 30 ).

So, in the configuration of the Figure 29 , the sealing of the terminations 4 in the module is ensured only for the electrical interface, ie between each contact 41 and the electrical conductive tube 38.

In the configuration of the figure 30 , complete waterproofing of all electrical components is guaranteed.

The plugs 5 can also be provided with O-rings 6 at their outer periphery ( figure 30 ).

There Figure 31 resumes the configuration of the Figure 29 , but without the presence of a wall 380 forming the electrical shunt: thus each conductive tube 38 electrically connecting two terminations 4 facing each other, is independent of the other tube 38.

Other variants and improvements can be planned without departing from the scope of the invention.

If in the examples illustrated in figures 3 to 31 , the electrical connection is made between at least two electrical cable terminations 4 each housed within a different cavity in the body 30 of the module, the invention can quite be implemented with a module with a single cavity to accommodate a cable termination to be connected to a fixed electrical conductive element, electrically connected to the conductive tube 38.

Such a configuration is illustrated in figures 32 And 33 : the connection module 3 shown comprises a single cavity 31 for an electrical cable termination 4, the conductive tube 38 being integral with an electrical connection bar or busbar B.

Also if in the examples illustrated, the fixing and locking of a connection module in a support rail is done by a translation along the longitudinal axis X of the module, that is to say in the width direction of the rail, we can obviously envisage a translation in a different direction, in particular a translation in a direction orthogonal to the axis X, that is to say in the direction of the length of the rail.

The expression “comprising one” must be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (15)

1. Electrical connection module (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3), with a longitudinal axis (X), comprising:

   • a body (30) made of an electrically insulating material, comprising at least two cavities (31) one on top of another, each designed to house an electric cable termination (4), comprising a sleeve (40) and a preferably cylindrical contact (41) held inside the sleeve, the contact being intended to be connected, preferably crimped, to an electric cable (2);

   • at least two electrically conductive tubes (38), one on top of another, inside the body, each designed to connect at least one contact of one of the electric cable terminations to another electrically conductive element (4, B);

   • at least two locking plates (35, 36), each designed to slide over the body (30) between an unlocking position and a locking position in which it blocks a termination (4) in translation with respect to the body (30), when the termination is inserted into one of the cavities (31) of the body (30);

   the at least two locking plates (35, 36) being designed to slide over the body (30) independently of one another, so as to achieve individual locking, to the module, of two electric cable terminations inserted from the same side of the body.
2. Electrical connection module according to Claim 1, the cavities extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) .
3. Electrical connection module according to either of the preceding claims, comprising at least two rows of two cavities that are arranged one above the other.
4. Electrical connection module according to Claim 3, the two conductive tubes of the rows of cavities being electrically connected to one another by an electric shunt (380), or not being electrically connected to one another.
5. Electrical connection module according to one of the preceding claims, the body of the module having a parallelepipedal general shape; each locking plate (35, 36) preferably being substantially in the shape of a U, designed to slide over the square or rectangular cross section of the module.
6. Electrical connection module according to Claim 5, the U comprising reliefs arranged towards the inside, the latch being designed to slide over the body (30) between an unlocking position and a locking position in which the reliefs (360) of the latch (35, 36) are intended to be interleaved in complementary reliefs (43) of a sleeve (40) of one of the terminations (4).
7. Electrical connection module according to Claim 5 or 6, the upper outer face of the bottom of the U of each locking plate being in the same plane as or set back from the upper outer face (300) of the module body in the locking position of the plate.
8. Electrical connection module according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one electrically conductive flexible ring (39) arranged inside a conductive tube and designed to be in contact with a contact (41) of an electric cable termination (4).
9. Electrical connection module according to one of the preceding claims, the end of each locking plate (35, 36) comprising at least one tab (351, 362) designed to hook into at least one recess (301, 302) formed in the upper and/or lower part of the body (30), so as to block the sliding of the plate into its locking and/or unlocking position.
10. Electrical connection module according to one of the preceding claims, the body (30) and/or each locking plate (35, 36) comprising slots (303, 352) designed for the insertion of a screwdriver (T) therein, so as to achieve the sliding of each locking plate from its locking position to its unlocking position.
11. Electrical connection assembly, comprising:

    - at least one electric cable termination (4), with a longitudinal axis (X1), comprising a sleeve (40) and a preferably cylindrical contact (41) held inside the sleeve, the contact being intended to be connected, preferably crimped, to an electric cable (2), the sleeve (40) comprising reliefs (43) on its outer periphery;

    - at least one electrical connection module (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) according to either Claim 6 or Claim 7 when dependent on Claim 6,

    the reliefs (360) of the latch (35, 36) being designed to be interleaved, in the locking position, in the complementary reliefs (43) of the sleeve (40) so as to block the termination (4) in translation along the axis (X) with respect to the body (30), in a position in which said termination (4) is inserted into the cavity (31) of the body (30) chosen from among at least two possible positions (L1, L2).
12. Terminal block (1), comprising a plurality of electrical connection modules (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) according to one of Claims 1 to 10.
13. Terminal block connection assembly comprising a terminal block according to Claim 12 and at least one support rail (10) intended to be fastened to a structure, in particular an aircraft structure.
14. Terminal block connection assembly according to Claim 13, in which:

    - the terminal block (1) comprises at least one electrical connection module (3), made of an electrically insulating material, with a longitudinal axis (X) furthermore comprising:

    • at least one positioning piece (34) projecting from the body towards the outside of the module,

    • at least one locking plate (32), designed to slide over the body between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking plate comprising a locking relief (33) ;

    - the support rail (10) comprises:

    • at least one insertion groove (102), designed for the insertion of the positioning piece,

    • at least one fastening groove (103) in the extension of the insertion groove, the fastening groove being designed to allow the module to be fastened through the translational movement of the positioning piece from the insertion groove;

    • at least one locking relief (105) designed to interact with the complementary locking relief (33) of the plate when the positioning piece is moved in translation, so as to slide the plate from its unlocking position to its locking position, and thus to lock the fastening of the connection module to the support rail.
15. Device comprising an aircraft structure and at least one terminal block (1) according to Claim 12, the terminal block (1) being fastened to the aircraft structure.

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