EP3807956A1 - Metal clip for electrically connecting a conductive wire to a metal element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal clip (1) for electrically connecting at least one conductive wire to a flat metal element, the metal clip being defined by four substantially flat portions, called wings (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), of a metal plate which is curved so as to form an M-shaped cross-section, said metal clip comprising: a first wing (2a) and a second wing (2b) defining a fastening housing (3a) for allowing the clip (1) to be engaged with an edge of the flat metal element; a third wing (2c) and a fourth wing (2d) defining a clipping housing (3c) and each one being provided with a first opening (8c) and a second opening (8d) facing each other, the clipping housing (3c) having a bottom provided with a main opening (6) for allowing the insertion of the end of the conductive wire; and fastening means (5, 7) consisting of a nut (7) cooperating with a clamping screw (5) inserted into the openings (8c, 8d) of the wings (2c, 2d) in order to bring the third wing (2c) closer to the fourth wing (2d) in such a way as to be able to allow the end of the conductive wire to be clipped between the fourth wing (2d) and the third wing (2c) and to establish electrical contact.

Description

 METAL CLIP FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF A CONDUCTING WIRE TO A

 METALLIC ELEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a metal clip for the electrical connection of a conductive wire to a flat metallic element.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Documents FR2694141, EP2528166 and FR3036857 are known for earthing clips formed from a one-piece metal plate curved in S so as to define two elastically deformable slots oriented opposite one another and separated by a wall. One slot is intended to be engaged on a flat metal support, the other to receive, for example, a grounding conductor wire. More particularly, the document FR3036857 relates to a clip employing a screw / nut system allowing easy disconnection of the wire from the plate by simple unscrewing. However, this clip requires machining the flat metal support to form an opening through which the nut will pass.

 To ensure their earthing function, such clips are in electrical contact with the conductive wire. However, the lead wire is not necessarily held firmly to the clip. It is possible in certain circumstances that the conductive wire disengages from the clip, for example when a very high current flows through the conductive wire.

 Furthermore, the clips disclosed by the aforementioned documents do not generally make it possible to ensure electrical contact with several wires simultaneously while holding them firmly in position.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is therefore to propose a metal clip for electrical connection making it possible to be securely and easily secured to one or more conductive wires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving this aim, the object of the invention provides a metal clip for electrical connection of at least one conductive wire to a planar metallic element, the metal clip being defined by four essentially planar portions, called wings, a curved metal plate to present a cross section in M, the metal clip comprising: a first wing and a second wing defining a fixing housing to allow the clip to be engaged on an edge of the planar metallic element; a third wing and a fourth wing defining a pinch housing and each respectively provided with a first opening (8c) and second opening (8d) facing each other, the pinch housing having a bottom provided with a main opening to allow insertion of the end of the conductive wire; fixing means consisting of a nut cooperating with a clamping screw inserted in the openings of the wings to bring the third wing closer to the fourth wing so as to be able to allow the pinching of the end of the conductive wire between the fourth wing and the third wing and establish electrical contact.

According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

- The second wing is provided with a third opening arranged opposite the first and the second openings of the third and fourth wing making it possible to receive the end of the screw in order to bring it into contact with the metal element plan ; - The first wing and / or the second wing is provided with at least one cutout forming an elastic lug oriented towards the inside of the first housing to improve the fixing of the metal clip to the flat metallic element and the electrical contact;

- the nut is arranged in an intermediate housing formed by the second wing (2b) and the third wing;

- The nut consists of the thickness of the third wing, the latter then constituting a nut thread;

- The fourth wing has lateral fins inclined towards the third wing in order to retain the wire inside the pinch housing during its insertion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 / the invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of particular and non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached figures among which:

 - Figure 1 shows a metal clip according to the invention;

 - Figures 2a to 2c illustrate the use of a metal clip 1 of electrical connection according to the invention;

 Figure 3 illustrates the step of fixing the electric wire to the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A metal clip 1 for electrical connection according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1, consists of a metal plate curved in M and therefore having a cross section in M. The term “wing” designates each of the four portions essentially flat of the metal plate defining this shape in M.

The clip 1 comprises a first wing 2a and a second wing 2b, integral at the level of a first curved zone which positions them vis-à-vis, and define a fixing housing 3a. This housing is intended to be engaged on an edge of a flat metallic element to which it is desired to electrically connect a conductive wire. To this end, the distance separating the first wing 2a and the second wing 2b, defined by the dimensions of the first curved zone, is chosen to substantially correspond to the thickness of the planar metallic element.

The elastic deformation of the first curved zone ensures the retention of the metal clip 1 on the flat metallic element and their contacting with electricity. To improve this electrical contact, provision may be made to form on the first wing 2a and / or on the second wing 2b a cutout or a plurality of cutouts making it possible to define one or more elastic lugs 4 oriented towards the inside of the first housing 3a. The support force exerted by the elastic lug 4 contributes to firmly hold the metal clip on the flat metal element. The low penetration of the end of this elastic lug 4 into the metal element by scratching effect during its engagement promotes electrical contact.

Preferably, a cut is made on each of the two lateral edges of the first wing 2a and of the second wing 2b, in order to delimit four elastic lugs 4, the lugs 4 of the first wing 2a being placed opposite the lugs 4 of the second wing 2b.

The second wing 2b is integral with a third wing 2c, by means of a second curved zone positioning these two wings 2b, 2c opposite, and thus defining a flexible intermediate housing 3b. Similarly, the third wing 2c is integral with a fourth wing 2d, by means of a third curved zone positioning these two wings 2c, 2d facing each other, and thus defining a pinch housing 3c.

The bottom of the pinch housing 3c, corresponding to the third curved zone, is provided with a main opening 6 whose size is chosen to allow the insertion of the end of the conductive wire (or conductive wires) which are wish to connect.

According to the invention, the metal clip 1 is also provided with fixing means for bringing the third wing 2c closer to the fourth wing 2d so as to be able to wedge the conductive wire between these two wings and establish an electrical contact.

The third wing 2c and fourth wing 2d are thus respectively provided with a first opening 8c and a second opening 8d facing each other to allow the passage of a clamping screw 5, preferably metallic. The fixing means advantageously comprise the clamping screw 5 and a nut 7, which can be arranged in the intermediate housing 3b and be secured to the third wing 2c. When the clamping screw 5 is screwed into the nut 7, the fourth wing 2d and the third wing 2c approach each other to ensure the firm pinching of the end of the conductive wire between these two wings and ensure an electrical contact.

Advantageously, the second wing 2b can also be provided with a third opening 8b opposite the first and second openings 8c, 8d in order to allow passage of the end of the clamping screw 5. The third opening 8b exposes the surface of the flat metal element, when the clip 1 has been engaged on this element. It is then possible to bring the end of the screw 5 into contact with the metal element to more securely hold the clip 1 to the metal element, and improve the electrical contacting. Advantageously, the nut 7 is formed on the third wing 2c by stamping. Alternatively, the clamping screw 5 is screwed directly onto the thickness of the third wing 2c, the latter then constituting a nut thread. It may also be conceivable that the nut 7 is a separate piece introduced into the intermediate housing when the tightening screw 5 is screwed.

The solution proposed by the invention is advantageous for two reasons. First, the pressure created on the wire by the third wing 2c and fourth wing 2d ensures a firm hold of the conductive wire. A tensile force exerted on this wire is less likely to dislodge it from the clip than in the solutions known from the prior art. Secondly, it is possible to connect several electrical wires, for example two wires, by inserting them into the pinch housing 3c. For example, it is possible to insert two conductive wires through the main opening 6 so that the two wires are positioned on either side of the clamping screw 5.

When the clip 1 is inserted on the metallic flat element, the M-shaped shape of the clip 1 makes it possible to orient the main opening 6 in a direction making it possible to introduce the end of the conductive wire towards the interior of the pinching housing without being bothered by the planar element.

Advantageously, the fourth wing 2d has lateral fins 9 which extend on each side of the metal clip 1 inclined towards the third wing 2c in order to retain the wire inside the pinch housing 3c during its insertion. The fins 9 partially close the clip 1 on its sides so as to restrict the movement of the wire and keep it in the housing in a position favorable to its pinching.

Figures 2a to 2c illustrate the use of a metal clip 1 for electrical connection according to the invention. In a first step shown in FIG. 2a, called the fixing step, the metal clip 1 is assembled to the planar metallic element by engaging the first housing 3a on an outer edge thereof. The clip can be engaged manually or using a tool, such as a hammer for example. The lugs 4 exert a bearing force on the flat metallic element and, by scratching effect, their ends penetrate into the material of this metallic element which contributes to establishing the electrical contact.

The clamping screw 5 can independently be inserted into the openings 8c and 8d and partially screwed onto the nut 7 before or after assembly of the metal clip 1 with the flat metal element.

In a second step, called the insertion step, shown in FIG. 2b, the stripped end of the conductive wire is introduced manually into the main opening 6 in the direction of the entrance to the third housing 3c. The conducting wire can continue to progress, for example until the insulating sheath comes into abutment with the main opening 6 as shown in FIG. 2c or a part of the conducting wire protrudes from the inlet of the third housing 3c.

In a last step, called the pinching step, represented in FIG. 2c, once the electric wire is correctly positioned, the tightening screw 5 is screwed into the nut 7 to crush the conductive wire between the fourth wing 2d and the third wing 2c. The electrical contact is thus maintained by the effect of pressure by crushing the wire between the third wing 2c and the fourth wing 2d.

When screwing, the clamping screw 5 penetrates inside the intermediate housing 3b until possibly touching the second wing 2b depending on the descent depth and length of the screw 5. The intermediate housing 3b is deformed to adjust the spacing between the second wing 2b and the third wing 2c to take into account the length of the tightening screw 5 and the depth of its face.

If the second wing 2b has been provided with an opening 8b, the end of the screw can be brought into contact with the metal element to improve the fixing of the clip and its electrical contact. The same phenomenon of flexible deformation of the intermediate housing which has just been described is also likely to occur in this case.

At the end of the pinching step, and as shown in FIG. 3, the conducting wire is in electrical contact and firmly held in the clip 1, between the third wing 2c and the fourth wing 2d which have been brought together. from each other by the clamping screw 5 and the nut 7.

The clip is also advantageous in that it makes it possible to easily disconnect the conductive wire from the metal clip 1 by simply unscrewing the clamping screw 5.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the example described and it is possible to make variant embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

One could in particular provide other fixing means than the clamping screw and the nut to bring the two wings together and wedge the conductive wire in the housing.

Claims

1. Metal clip (1) for electrical connection of at least one conductive wire to a planar metallic element, the metal clip being defined by four essentially planar portions, called wings (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), of a plate metallic bent to present a cross section in M, the metallic clip comprising:  at. a first wing (2a) and a second wing (2b) defining a fixing housing (3a) to enable the clip (1) to be engaged on an edge of the planar metallic element;  b. a third wing (2c) and a fourth wing (2d) defining a pinch housing (3c) and each respectively provided with a first opening (8c) and second opening (8d) facing each other, the pinch housing (3c) having a bottom provided with a main opening (6) to allow insertion of the end of the conductive wire;  vs. fixing means (5, 7) consisting of a nut (7) cooperating with a clamping screw (5) inserted in the openings (8c, 8d) of the wings (2c, 2d) to bring the third wing (2c) of the fourth wing (2d) so as to be able to allow the pinching of the end of the conductive wire between the fourth wing (2d) and the third wing (2c) and to establish an electrical contact. 2. Metal clip (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the second wing (2b) is provided with a third opening (8b) disposed opposite the first and the second openings (8c, 8d) of the third (2c ) and fourth wing (2d) for receiving the end of the screw (5) in order to bring it into contact with the flat metal element. 3. Metal clip (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the first wing (2a) and / or the second wing (2b) is provided with at least one cutout forming an elastic lug (4) oriented towards the interior of the first housing (3a) to improve the fixing of the metal clip (1) to the flat metal element and the electrical contact. 4. Metal clip (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the nut is disposed in an intermediate housing (3b) formed of the second wing (2b) and the third wing (2c). 5. Metal clip (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the nut (7) consists of the thickness of the third wing (2c), the latter then constituting a nut thread. 6. Metal clip (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the fourth wing (2d) comprises lateral fins (9) inclined towards the third wing (2c) in order to retain the wire inside the nip housing (3c) during its insertion.