GB2066589A

GB2066589A - A connection terminal

Info

Publication number: GB2066589A
Application number: GB8010839A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Cegelec SA
Current assignee: Cegelec SA
Priority date: 1979-12-28
Filing date: 1980-03-31
Publication date: 1981-07-08
Also published as: IT8067574A0; ES8103492A1; BE882490A; FR2472854A2; FR2472854B2; DE3013245A1; IT1128274B; ES490429A0

Abstract

A connection terminal for a conductor (6) has a holding frame which includes firstly two side walls (21) disposed face to face and parallel and a common base (20) which constitutes a stationary jaw for holding said conductor, said jaw being accessible from a conductor insertion end. The terminal includes a moving clamping jaw (3) formed at the end of an arm (31) which is rotatably mounted about an axis (30) disposed parallel to the base (20) and extending between the two side walls (21), said moving jaw having a bend adjacent to said base and between its origin which is on the conductor insertion side and its end, said bend curving round said axis, the free end (34) of said jaw being subjected to the action of a spring (4) which urges the moving jaw towards the stationary jaw. The invention applies in particular to producing connection blocks in connection terminals. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A connection terminal The invention relates to a connection for a conductor, said terminal having a holding clip, and more particularly the invention relates to the terminal of a detachable self-tightening terminal block.

It is often advantageous to be able to connect automatically a bared conductor to the terminal of a terminal block without having to tighten it with screws. To do this, devices have been invented in which a conductor is held by inserting it along a fixed jaw while pushing back a moving jaw and in which a transversal tightening force is exerted on the conductor to press it against the stationary jaw. However, such tightening exerts a shearing effect on the conductor. This is detrimental to the security of the connection, especially when it is subjected to vibrations.

Preferred embodiments of the invention aim to provide a self-tightening connection terminal which avoids such shearing effects. It is possible to ensure that the terminal does not require dismantling tool for disconnection.

The invention provides a connection terminal for a conductor, said terminal having a holding frame which includes firstly two side walls disposed face to face and parallel between a top and a common base which constitutes a stationary jaw for holding said conductor, said jaw being accessible from a conductor insertion end, and secondly a moving jaw formed at the end of an arm which is rotatably mounted about an axis disposed parallel to the base which is between the two side walls, said moving jaw having a bend adjacent to said base and between its origin which is on the conductor insertion side and its end, said bend curving round said axis, the free end of said jaw being subjected to the action of a spring which urges the moving jaw towards the stationary jaw. Preferably, the bend in the moving jaw increases between its root and its end.

According to one feature, the spring is fixed between firstly a first fixing point disposed on the free end of the moving jaw and secondly a second fixing point disposed on the top of the frame and the second fixing point can be disposed near the rotation axis of the moving jaw. The spring can be a compression type spring. It can also be of the curved blade type and curved in an arc with a circular average form.

According to other features, the rotation axis is constituted by side tabs of the moving jaw, said tabs being disposed in holes in the side walls, said holes having slots which communicate with the conductor insertion end.

The moving jaw may have two side tabs which, when no conductor is inserted, abut against shoulders in the side walls, said shoulders being disposed at the opposite end to the conductor insertion end; it can also be grooved at its portion which faces the fixed jaw.

The terminal can include an unlocking tab disposed in the slot and accessible from the conductor insertion surface end or, even, an operating button on its conductor insertion end.

The terminal can form a part of a detachable terminal block and include a connection strip for connection to another terminal, the connection strip being disposed against the base of the frame.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figure lisa side view in partial section of a first terminal block in accordance with the invention; figure 2 is a plan view through Il-Il in figure 1; figure 3 is an exploded and partially cutaway view of the connection terminals illustrated in figure 1; figure 4 is a partially cut-away exploded perspective view of a second terminal block in accordance with the invention; figure 5 is a schematic partially cut-away side view of the terminal block shown in figure 4; and figure 6 is a side view of a terminal as illustrated in figure 5 after a conductor has been inserted therein.

In figures 1 to 3, 1 is the insulating body of a terminal block whose lower portion includes, in a known manner, three resilient legs 71, 72, 73 for fixing to a supporting sectional bar, not shown.

The insulating body 1 has a hollow interior 10 in which two connection terminals 2 are fixed.

Each terminal includes a frame made of bent sheet metal; each frame includes a base 20 with two parallel side walls 21 rising therefrom. The ends of the side walls 21 are folded over onto each other to form a top 25 with a nose 22 projecting towards the base 20 of the frame.

A moving part which has a moving jaw 3 is disposed between the side walls 21 of the frame.

The moving part includes a rotating arm 31 which turns about an axis of rotation constituted by side tabs 30 which are engaged in holes 23 in the side walls 21.

The arm 31 has a lower extension which constitutes the moving jaw 3 and an upper extension which has an end 35 projecting into the recess 14 in the end surface 1 5 for the insertion of a conductor 6 into the insulating body 1.

The surface of the moving jaw 3 disposed facing the base 20 of the frame has grooves 32 and the moving jaw has side tabs 33 and an end tab 34 which points away from the base 20 towards the nose 22. A compression spring 4 is interposed between the tab 34 and the nose 22.

The profile of the moving jaw is such that its radius of curvature increases from its root disposed facing a slot 14 up to its free end disposed in the central portion of the hollow interior 10.

The connection terminals are interconnected by a connecting strip 5 fixed in the hollow interior 10 and whose ends have contact surfaces 51 disposed at the end of each frame, against the bases 20.

Such a terminal operates as follows. When it is at rest, the tabs 33 urged by the springs 4, rest against shoulders 24 of the side walls 21.

When it is required to connect the bared end 61 of a conductor 6, said end is engaged in the slot 14 provided in the insulating body insertion surface 15 against the contact surface 51 of the connecting strip 5 until the end 61 of the conductor comes into contact with the moving jaw 3. Exerting a force on the conductor raises the moving jaw and pivots it about gudgeons 30. The end 61 is inserted between the grooves 32 and the contact surface 51. Releasing the force on the conductor 6 jams the end thereof between the grooves 32 and the contact surface 51 due to the action of the spring 4.

To withdraw the conductor 6, a force must be exerted on the end 35 by means of a tool engaged in the slot 14.

In the variant shown in figures 4 to 6, 1 is the insulating body of a terminal block with two connection terminals 11 and 12 only one of which, namely 11, is shown in detail. The insulating body 1 has a hollow interior 10 in which the connection terminal is fixed. The terminal includes a frame 2 made of bent sheet metal; the frame includes a base 20 with two parallel side walls 21 rising therefrom. The end of one of the side walls 21 is folded over onto the other to form a top 22. The edge of said top 22 facing the hollow interior 10 has a slot 25.

The moving part includes a rotating arm 31 which turns about an axis of rotation constituted by side tabs 30 which are engaged in holes 23 in the side walls 21 by means of slots 26 which start at the holes 23 and communicate with the edges adjacent the recess 14 through which the conductor is inserted.

The arm 31 has a lower extension which constitutes the moving jaw 3 and an upper extension which has an end 35 projecting into the recess 14 in the end surface 1 5 for the insertion of a conductor 6 into the insulating body 1. A detachable button 5 has a slot 50 which can be engaged on the end 35.

The surface of the moving jaw 3 disposed facing the base 20 of the frame has grooves 32 and the free end of the moving jaw has a tab 34 which points away from the base 20. The profile of the moving jaw 3 is such that its radius of curvature facing the base 20 increases from its root to its end.

A compression spring 4 constituted by a blade curved in an arc with an average circular form is interposed in the hollow interior 10 between the tab 34 and the top 22 of the frame. For the above purpose, one end of the spring 4 has an orifice 41 in which the tab 34 is inserted, and the other end 42 of the spring has a neck portion with two side tabs 43 beyond the neck for insertion into a slot 25. The frame 2 is linked by an extension 27 of its base 20 to the other terminal 1.2 of the terminal block.

Such a terminal operates as follows. Under the effect of the compression spring 4, the moving jaw 3 is applied against the base 20 of the frame 2 before the conductor 6 is inserted. To insert the conductor 6 in the terminal, the button 5 which, in its rest position, is retracted in the recess 14, is pushed, thereby rocking the button and so compressing the spring 4 which may even abut against the walls of the hollow interior 10, moving the moving jaw 3 away from the base 20. The end of the conductor 6 is then inserted as shown by the arrow 60 in the gap formed between the jaw 3 and the base 20 and the button is released.

Pressure on the spring 4 is relieved and the spring presses the moving jaw strongly against the conductor 6 which is also gripped by the r ase 20 which acts as a stationary jaw.

With said disposition, the terminal can fit into a hollow 10 of roughly square cross-section. This reduces the bulk of the insulating body 1 of the terminal block.

Claims

1. A connection terminal for a conductor, said terminal having a holding frame which includes firstly two side walls disposed face to face and parallel between a top and a common base which constitutes a stationary jaw for holding said conductor, said jaw being accessible from a conductor insertien end, and secondly a moving jaw formed at the end of an arm which is rotatably mounted about an axis disposed parallel to the base which is between the two side walls, said moving jaw having a bend adjacent to said base and between its origin which is on the conductor insertion side and its end, said bend curving round said axis, the free end of said jaw being subjected to the action of a spring which urges the moving jaw towards the stationary jaw.

2. A terminal according to claim 1, wherein the bend in the jaw increases between its root and its end.

3. A terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring is fixed between firstly a first fixing point disposed on the free end of the moving jaw and secondly a second fixing point disposed on the top of the frame.

4. A terminal according to claim 3, wherein the second fixing point is disposed near the rotation axis of the moving jaw.

5. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spring is a compression types spring.

6. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spring is of the curved blade type.

7. A terminal according to claim 6, wherein the spring is constituted by a blade curved in an arc with a circular average form.

8. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotation axis is constituted by side tabs of the moving jaw, said tabs being disposed in holes in the side walls, said holes having slots which communicate with the conductor insertion end.

9. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the moving jaw has two side tabs which, when no conductor is inserted, abut against shoulders in the side walls, said shoulders being disposed at the opposite end to the conductor insertion end.

10. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the portion of the moving jaw which faces the fixed jaw is grooved.

11. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein including an unlocking tab disposed in the slot and accessible from the conductor insertion surface end.

12. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the moving jaw has an operating button on its conductor insertion end.

13. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, forming a part of a detachable terminal block.

14. A terminal according to claim 13, wherein a connection strip for connection to another terminal is disposed against the base of the frame.

1 5. A terminal block substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A terminal block substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.