SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL

Abstract

 Terminal (1) for electrical spring connection, comprising:
- an electrically conductive element (2) configured to operate as electricity busbar;
- a leaf spring (3) configured to be operatively coupled to the electrically conductive element (2) to lock in a removable manner against the electrically conductive element (2) at least one electrical conductor (W).
The electrically conductive element (2) comprises a support wall (5) adapted to define a first reference plane (P) and at least one first side wall (6) joined to the support wall (5) and extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane (P), said at least one first side wall (6) comprising a first free end (8), opposite to one end joined to the support wall (5), adapted to contact said at least one electrical conductor (W), on action of the leaf spring (3) between said support wall (5) and said first free end (8) of said at least one first side wall.
The first free end (8) of said at least one first side wall comprises a first upper contact portion (8') having a distance from the support wall (5), along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane (P), equal to a set first value, the first free end (8) also comprising a second lower contact portion (8") having a distance from the support wall (5), along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane (P), equal to a set second value, different from said set first value.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of electrical devices or apparatuses and, more particularly, relates to a terminal for electrical spring connection for an electrical device or apparatus.

[0002] In the technical field of electrical devices or apparatuses, devices and apparatuses are widely known and used that employ terminals for electrical spring connection for the connection of rigid and/or flexible electrical conductors to the electrical devices or apparatuses themselves.

[0003] For the purposes of this description, electrical devices or apparatuses of the above type include, for example, electrical sockets and plugs, electrical control switches installable on a wall, electrical control switches installable in industrial or domestic electrical panels, and so on.

[0004] A terminal for electrical spring connection belonging to the prior art typically comprises a metal frame, adapted to function as an electricity busbar, which is housed in a main body made of electrically insulating material of an electrical device or apparatus.

[0005] Inside the metal frame, there is usually provided an assembly through opening through which is inserted a leaf spring for locking one or more electrical conductors to the terminal for electrical spring connection.

[0006] This leaf spring normally comprises one or more arms to hold against the metal frame the one or more electrical conductors to be connected.

[0007] The aforesaid terminal for electrical spring connection described with reference to the known technique is not free from defects.

[0008] In fact, as is known, such terminal for electrical spring connection does not always allow obtaining a high hold of the electrical conductor and thus an acceptable electrical conduction between the electrical conductor and metal frame, for example due to the fact that these latter are in contract with each other for only a portion, often small, of the electrical conductor.

[0009] In addition, in such a terminal for electrical spring connection, the action of the said one or more arms of the leaf spring is not always such as to allow an optimum locking of the electrical conductor.

[0010] Moreover, such a terminal for electrical spring connection does not always allow a simple and rapid wiring of the electrical conductor to the terminal itself.

[0011] This occurs especially in the case of flexible electric conductors, which usually require the use of a tool adapted to elastically deform the leaf spring so as to allow the insertion of the flexible electrical conductor between the leaf spring and the frame made of conductive material.

[0012] Again, at a more general level, the assembly of such a terminal for electrical spring connection can be more complex and, therefore, not as fast, because of the need to insert and attach the leaf spring into the respective mounting opening with which the metal frame is provided. This drawback is most felt in the particular case in which the assembly is not performed manually but by machine.

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to devise and make available a terminal for electrical spring connection that allows eliminating, at least partially, the drawbacks complained about above with reference to the known technique, which is at the same time easier to assemble but such as to guarantee an optimal electrical conductivity.

[0014] This purpose is achieved by means of a terminal for electrical spring connection according to claim 1.

[0015] Embodiments of such a terminal for electrical spring connection are defined in the dependent claims.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the terminal for electrical spring connection will result from the following description of preferred embodiments, provided as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical device or apparatus comprising a terminal for electrical spring connection (not visible in the figure) according to this invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a component of the terminal for electrical spring connection according to an embodiment of the invention;
• figures 3 and 4 illustrate, respectively, a side view and a front view of the component illustrated in Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further component of the terminal for electrical spring connection according to an embodiment of the invention;
• figures 6 and 7 illustrate, respectively, a side view and a front view of the component illustrated in Figure 5;
• Figures 8 and 9 show, respectively, a perspective view and a side sectional view of the component of Figure 2 and the further component of Figure 5 jointly assembled together to an element of the electrical device or apparatus, partially visible also in Figure 1;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 8 in which the element, shown in Figure 8, of the electrical device or apparatus of Figure 1 has been removed;
• Figure 11 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 9 in which a portion of the component of Figures 2-4 has been removed;
• Figure 12 is a perspective view in which the component of Figure 2 and the further component of Figure 5, assembled together, are shown in a respective operating configuration together with electrical conductors;
• Figure 13 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 12 in which a portion of the component of Figures 2-4 has been removed and
• Figures 14 and 15 illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side sectional view in which the component of Figure 2 and the further component of Figure 5, assembled together, are shown in a respective operating configuration together with electrical conductors and the element, visible in Figures 8 and 9 and partially in Figure 1, of the electrical device or apparatus of Figure 1.

[0017] With reference to the figure, the reference number 100 indicates, as a whole, an electrical device or apparatus, in which is a usable a terminal for electrical spring connection, described below.

[0018] For the purposes of this description, we repeat that an electrical device or apparatus of the above type includes, for example, electrical sockets and plugs, electrical control switches installable on a wall, electrical control switches installable in industrial or domestic electrical panels, and so on.

[0019] In the example in Figure 1, the electrical device 100 is a SCHUKO type power socket.

[0020] With reference to Figure 1, the electrical device 100 comprises a device body 101 made of electrically insulating material.

[0021] The device body 101 comprises a first connection wall 102 provided with a respective connection seat 103 shaped and provided with electrical connections (only partially visible in Figure 1) for receiving and retaining, providing electricity, a respective electrical plug of an electrical apparatus (for example, a household appliance), to be electrically powered.

[0022] The device body 101 also comprises a second connection wall 104, opposite, in the example of Figure 1, to the first connection wall 102 and also comprises one or more channels for the insertion of one or more electrical conductors to connect to the electrical device 100.

[0023] The second connection wall 104 is also shaped to allow the fixing of the electric device 100, for example, to a support frame fixed in turn to a wall or to an electrical panel.

[0024] The electrical device 100 also comprises at least one terminal for electrical spring connection 1 (partially visible in Figure 1) for the electrical connection of the electrical device 100 with at least one electrical conductor (not shown in Figure 1).

[0025] With reference now to Figures 2-15, we will now describe such terminal for electrical spring connection 1, hereinafter also simply terminal 1, according to various embodiments of this invention.

[0026] It should be noted that equal or analogous elements will be indicated in the figures with the same numeric and/or alphanumeric references.

[0027] With particular reference now to Figures 12 and 13, the terminal 1 comprises an electrically conductive element or conductive frame 2, configured to operate as an electricity busbar.

[0028] The electrically conductive element 2 will be described in greater detail below, with particular reference to Figures 2-4.

[0029] The terminal 1 also comprises a leaf spring 3 configured to be operatively coupled to the electrically conductive element 2 to lock in a removable manner against the electrically conductive element 2 at least one electrical conductor W.

[0030] The at least one conductor or electrical cable W can be, in an embodiment, a substantially rigid electrical conductor or, according to a further embodiment, an electrical conductor of the flexible type. An electrical conductor of the flexible type normally comprises a bundle of electrical wires placed side by side, having on the whole a cross section substantially equal to the cross section of the electrical conductor of the rigid type.

[0031] It should be noted that, in the example illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the at least one electrical conductor W is illustrated schematically by a single wire provided, for a portion external to the terminal 1, with a coating W' made of insulating material.

[0032] It should be observed also that, in the example of Figures 12 and 13, there is shown a further electrical conductor connected Y connected to the terminal 1, fully similar to said at least one electrical conductor W. The coating of insulating material of the further electrical conductor Y is indicated by the alphanumeric reference Y'.

[0033] Returning in general to Figures 12 and 13, it should be noted that also the leaf spring 3 will be described in greater detail below, with particular reference to Figures 5-7.

[0034] With reference now to Figures 2-4, we will now describe such electrically conductive element 2 according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0035] As defined previously, the electrically conductive element or conductive frame 2 is configured to operate as an electricity busbar.

[0036] The electrically conductive element 2, hereinafter also simply conductive element 2, comprises a support wall 5, for example of substantially flat shape, adapted to define a first reference plane P and at least a first side wall 6 joined to the support wall 5 and extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane P.

[0037] According to the embodiment of Figures 2-4, the conductive element 2 also comprises a second side wall 7 joined to the support wall 5 and extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane P.

[0038] The at least one first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7 are connected together by the support wall 5.

[0039] The support wall 5, said at least one first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7 are arranged so as to define a through opening A adapted to receive the leaf spring 3 and the at least one electrical conductor W (both not shown in Figures 2-4).

[0040] The at least one first side wall 6 comprises a first free end 8, opposite to an end joined to the support wall 5, adapted to contact said at least one electrical conductor 1, upon the action of the leaf spring 3, when both are inserted inside of the opening A of the conductive element 2, between said support wall 5 and said first free end 8 of said at least a first side wall 6.

[0041] In more detail, the first free end 8 advantageously comprises a first upper contact portion 8' having a distance from the support wall 5, along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane P, equal to a set first value L1 (Figure 3).

[0042] In addition, the first free end 8 advantageously comprises a second lower contact portion 8" having a distance from the support wall 5, along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane P, equal to a set second value L2 different from said set first value L1 (Figure 3).

[0043] The advantages of this particular configuration of the conductive element 2 will be explained below with reference to a possible operational configuration of the conductive element 2.

[0044] In the embodiment of Figures 2-4, the set second value L2 is less than the set first value L1.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, the set second value L2 could be more than the set first value L1.

[0046] In the embodiment of Figures 2-4, the first upper contact portion 8' of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6, parallel to the first reference plane P, has a substantially C-shaped containment profile adapted to contain a portion of said at least one electrical conductor W.

[0047] The second lower contact portion 8" of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6, parallel to the first reference plane P, has a substantially flat profile.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, even the second lower contact portion 8" of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6, parallel to the first reference plane P, may have a substantially C-shaped containment profile adapted to contain a portion of said at least one electrical conductor W.

[0049] According to a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first upper contact portion 8' of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6, parallel to the first reference plane P, has a substantially flat profile while the second lower contact portion 8" of the free end 8 of said at least first side wall 6 has a substantially C-shape profile adapted to contain said at least one electrical conductor W, or at least a further portion of it.

[0050] According to a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, both the first upper contact portion 8' and the second lower contact portion 8" of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6, parallel to the first reference plane P, have a substantially flat profile.

[0051] Returning to the embodiment of Figures 2-4, the second side wall 7 comprises a first free end 9, opposite to an end joined to the support wall 5, adapted to contact said further electrical conductor Y, upon the action of the leaf spring 3, when both are inserted inside of the opening A of the conductive element 2, between said support wall 5 and said first free end 9 of said second side wall 7.

[0052] In a manner entirely analogous to what was previously described with reference to the first free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6, the free end 9 of the second side wall 7 advantageously comprises a first upper contact portion 9' having a distance from the support wall 5, along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane P, equal to a set first value L1.

[0053] In addition, the first free end 9 of the second side wall 7 advantageously comprises a second lower contact portion 9" having a distance from the support wall 5, along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane P, equal to a set second value L2 different from said set first value L1.

[0054] The advantages of this particular configuration of the conductive element 2 will be explained below with reference to a possible operational configuration of the conductive element 2.

[0055] In the embodiment of Figures 2-4, the set second value L2 is less than the set first value L1.

[0056] According to a further embodiment, the set second value L2 could be more than the set first value L1.

[0057] In the embodiment of Figures 2-4, the first upper contact portion 9' of the first free end 9 of the second side wall 7, parallel to the first reference plane P, has a substantially C-shaped profile adapted to contain a portion of the further electrical conductor Y. In addition, the second lower contact portion 9" of the first free end 9 of the second side wall 7, parallel to the first reference plane P, has a substantially flat profile.

[0058] With regard to other possible embodiments in relation to the different configuration of the first upper contact portion 9' and the second lower contact portion 9" of the first free end 9 of the second side wall 7, the same considerations already mentioned above with particular reference to the first the upper contact portion 8' and the second lower contact portion 8" of the first free end 8 of said at least a first side wall 6, will therefore not be repeated.

[0059] With reference in general to the electrically conductive element 2 (conductive frame), also called "terminal block", it should be noted that is manufactured by shearing and bending of a planar ribbon of electrically conductive material, for example brass.

[0060] With particular reference again to Figures 2-4, it should be noted that the first upper contact portion 8' (9') and the second lower contact portion 8" (9") of the first free end 8 (9) of said at least one first side wall 6 (second side wall 7) are mutually distinct and separated by a separation space S obtained by removing, by shearing, a portion of the starting planar ribbon.

[0061] According to a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first upper contact portion 8' (9') and the second lower contact portion 8" (9") of the first free end 8 (9) of said at least one first side wall 6 (second side wall 7) may be distinct and mutually connected, avoiding defining by shearing the separation space defined previously.

[0062] With reference now to Figures 5-7, we will now describe the leaf spring 3, hereinafter also simply spring 3, according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0063] The leaf spring 3 is obtained by shearing and bending a metal ribbon, in this example a sheet of stainless steel, in such a way that the spring, in lateral section, has a substantially the shape of an open loop folded on itself (Figure 6).

[0064] In more detail, the spring 3 comprises at least one first contact arm 10 having a free end 11 adapted to contact said at least one electrical conductor W.

[0065] In addition, always in this embodiment, the spring 3 comprises a second contact arm 12, set alongside said at least a first arm 10, having a respective free end 13 adapted to contact the further electrical conductor Y.

[0066] The spring 3 also comprises a first support wall 14, opposite to said at least one first contact arm 10, connected to said at least one first contact arm 10 by a second support wall 15.

[0067] The second support wall 15 is substantially flat and defines a second reference plane P'.

[0068] The at least one first contact arm 10 is connected to the second support wall 15 by means of first connecting wall 16, for example of substantially curved profile.

[0069] The free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 10 comprises a contact portion 11' having a substantially curved profile.

[0070] In addition, the free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 10 comprises a support portion 11" bent towards the second support wall 15.

[0071] The contact portion 11' is obtained by shearing of the free end 11 starting from the support portion 11".

[0072] Returning to the second contact arm 12 of Figures 5-7, it should be noted that the second contact arm 12 is connected to the second support wall 15 by means of a second support wall 17.

[0073] The free end 13 of the second contact arm 11 of the leaf spring 3 comprises a contact portion 13' having a substantially curved profile.

[0074] In addition, the free end 13 of the second contact arm 12 of the leaf spring 3 comprises a support portion 13" bent towards the second support wall 15.

[0075] The contact portion 13' is obtained by shearing of the free end 13 starting from the support portion 13".

[0076] It should be noted that said free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 10 and the free end 13 of the second contact arm 12 are shaped in a substantially symmetrical manner, i.e., in such a way that the support portion 11" of the free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 10 and the support portion 13" of the second contact arm 12 are set alongside one another while the contact portion 11' of said at least one first contact arm 10 and the contact portion 13' of the second contact arm 12 are peripheral.

[0077] With particular reference to Figure 6, it should be noted that, when the spring 3 is in the rest configuration, i.e., where it is substantially elastically discharged, said at least one first contact arm 10 and the second contact arm 12 lie on a same inclined plane with respect to the second reference plane P' defined by the second support wall 15.

[0078] The plane in which lie the at least one first contact arm 10 and the second contact arm 12 and the second reference plane P ideally meet substantially in correspondence of the connecting wall 16, 17 of each contact arm 10, 12 with the second support wall 15.

[0079] The first support wall 14 extends along a plane substantially orthogonal to the second reference plane P'.

[0080] The spring 3 also comprises a third support wall 18 extending parallel to the second reference plane P' defined by the second support wall 15.

[0081] The third support wall 18 is joined to the second support wall 15 via the first support wall 14.

[0082] The third support wall 18 comprises a central free end 18' and a pair of side free ends 18". The central free end 18' is disposed between the pair of side free ends 18".

[0083] In greater detail, each free end of the pair of side free ends 18", substantially flat, is bent towards the second support wall 15 and lies on a respective plane inclined with respect to the second reference plane P'.

[0084] A side free end of the pair of free ends 18' is substantially facing the contact profile 11" of the free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 10, while the other free end of the pair of free ends 18" is facing the contact profile 13" of the free end 13 of the second contact arm 12.

[0085] The central free end 18', substantially flat, is bent towards the second support wall 15 and lies on a plane substantially orthogonal with respect to the second reference plane P'.

[0086] The central free end 18' is substantially facing both the contact profile 11' of the free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 10 and the contact portion 13" of the free end 13 of the second contact arm 12.

[0087] With reference now to Figures 10 and 11, in an operating configuration, when the leaf spring 3 is inserted at the conductive element 2, through the through opening A, as defined by the latter, the second support wall 15 of the leaf spring 3 is in contact with the support wall 5 of the conductive element 2.

[0088] In other words, the first reference plane P defined by the support wall 5 of the conductive element 2 is parallel to the second reference plane P' defined by the second support wall 15 of the leaf spring 3.

[0089] Furthermore, as can be clearly seen in Figure 11, the free end 11 (in particular, the contact portion 11') of said at least one first contact arm 10 of the leaf spring 3 is facing the upper contact portion 8' of said at least one first side wall 6 of the conductive element 2 while the free end 13 (in particular, the contact portion 13') of the second contact arm 12 of the leaf spring 3 faces the upper contact portion 9' of the second side wall 7 of the conductive element 2.

[0090] Also, it should be noted that the central free end 18' of the third support wall 18 of the leaf spring 3 is disposed between the upper contact portion 8' of said at least one first side wall 6 of the conductive element 2 and the upper contact portion 9' of the second side wall 7 of the conductive element 2.

[0091] With particular reference now to Figures 8 and 9, the terminal for electrical spring connection 1 comprises a housing of insulating material (not shown in the figures), for example plastic, adapted to contain both the conductive element 2 and the leaf spring 3.

[0092] The terminal for electrical spring connection 1 also comprises a lever mechanism 19 operatively connected to the housing made of insulating material.

[0093] The lever mechanism 19, in response to a pressure by an installer, is configured to exert a pressure on said at least one first contact arm 10 (and on the second contact arm 12) of the leaf spring 3 so as to allow the insertion of said at least one electrical conductor W (and the further electrical conductor Y) between said at least one conductive element 2 and the leaf spring 3.

[0094] In addition, the lever mechanism 19, after being released by the installer, is configured to allow the locking of said at least one electrical conductor W (and the further electrical conductor Y) between said conductive element 2 and the leaf spring 3 following the pressure exerted by said at least one first contact arm 10 (and by the second contact arm 12 of the leaf spring 3).

[0095] It should be noted that the actuation of the lever mechanism 19 is necessary in the case in which said at least one electrical conductor W (and the further electrical conductor Y) is an electric cable of the flexible type, and not necessarily in the case in which said at least one electrical conductor W (and the further electrical conductor Y) is an electric cable of the rigid type.

[0096] With reference now to Figures 12-15, it is now describe an operating configuration of the conductive element 2 and of the leaf spring 3 together with said at least one electrical conductor W and the further electrical conductor Y.

[0097] With particular reference to the locking of the at least one electrical conductor W, it should be noted that the thrust exerted by said at least one first contact arm 10 of the leaf spring 3 on said at least one electrical conductor W allows obtaining the contact of said at least one electrical conductor W against both the first upper contact portion 8' and against the second upper contact portion 8" of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6 of the conductive element 2.

[0098] In more detail, under the action of the leaf spring 3, the fact that the distance from the support wall 5 of the conductive element 2, along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane P, of the first upper contact portion 8' is equal to a set first value L1 and the distance from the support wall 5 of the conductive element 2, along the same direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane P, of the second lower contact portion 8' is equal to a set second value L2, different from the first value L1 (in the embodiment of the figures, less) allows deforming and retaining the at least one electrical conductor W in a bent conformation having one or more bends.

[0099] In particular, as shown in the side sectional view of Figure 15, the at least one electrical conductor W is retained in a bent configuration having a first bend away from the second support wall 15 of the leaf spring 3 (to the left in Figure 15) and a second bend toward the second support wall 15 of the leaf spring 3 (towards the right in Figure 15).

[0100] In more detail, the bent conformation advantageously allows obtaining at least two contact points between said at least one electrical conductor W and the terminal 1, thus increasing the hold.

[0101] A first contact point C1 is obtained in correspondence of the first bend and is represented by the upper edge of the second lower contact end 8" of the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6 of the conductive element 2.

[0102] A second contact point C2 is obtained in correspondence of the second bend and is represented by the contact portion 11' of the free end 11 of said at least one first contact arm 11 of the leaf spring 3.

[0103] In this regard, it should be noted that the rounded shape of the contact portion 11' advantageously allows increasing the number of strands of said at least one electrical conductor W that can come into contact with the leaf spring 3.

[0104] It should be noted that the fact that the first contact point C1 and the second contact point C2 are in correspondence of different points of the at least one electrical conductor W advantageously allows increasing the hold of the electrical conductor and the distribution of shear stresses, one on the leaf spring 3 and one on the conductive element 2.

[0105] Another significant advantage, linked to the bent configuration in which is held the at least one electrical conductor W, regards the stripping length of the electrical conductor W (Y), or the portion of the electrical conductor without the respective insulating coating W' (Y'), intended to be inserted and locked in the terminal for electrical spring connection 1 of the electrical device 100.

[0106] In fact, comparing also the cut on said at least one electrical conductor W, both the conductive element 2 (in correspondence of the first contact point C1) and the leaf spring 3 (at the second contact point C2), the Applicant has noted that the first cut (first contact point C1), with respect to the edge of the insulating coating W', is located at a minimum distance of about 3.5 mm while the second cut (second contact point C2), with respect to the edge of the insulating coating W', is located at a minimum distance of about 5 mm.

[0107] Therefore, the minimum stripping length required in this case is about 5 mm, possibly increased up to about 7 mm in the case of application of the terminal for electrical spring connection 1 in an electrical power device, in which electrical conductors or cables of 2.5 mm² are also used.

[0108] In any case, this is an improvement compared to the typical stripping lengths advisable for electrical conductors to be inserted and locked in other terminals for electrical spring connection of the prior art, typically 9-10 mm.

[0109] This provides an advantage in terms of both materials used and improvement of the operations of installation and locking of the electrical conductors.

[0110] In fact, installers are used to stripping by "eye", i.e., without making any measurements of stripping length.

[0111] This inevitably leads to a large variability in the stripping of the electrical conductor.

[0112] Therefore, if the stripping of the electrical conductor is not adapted, for example, obtaining an insufficient stripping length (a few mm), the installer would wire a conductor or electric cable with a risk of disconnecting of the same.

[0113] This possibility exists in the terminal for electrical spring connection described with reference to the prior art while it is greatly reduced in the terminal for electrical spring connection of this invention due, precisely, to the bent configuration in which the at least one electrical conductor W is held.

[0114] Another advantage due to the presence of at least two contact points C1, C2 of the at least one electrical conductor W with the terminal 1, adapted to increase the hold of the electrical conductor W and the contact pressure exerted on it by the terminal 1, allows also employing a lever mechanism 19 configured to exert a reduced pressure compared to other levers used in terminals for spring connection of the prior art.

[0115] This consequently allows reducing both the stresses from the lever mechanism on the terminal for electrical spring connection, which could lead to the breakage of the terminal, and the effort required of the installer for the locking and unlocking of the terminal during the installation or maintenance.

[0116] The technical effects and advantages described previously with reference to the operating configuration of the conductive element 2 and of the leaf spring 3 assembled together with said at least one electrical conductor W are also valid for the operating configuration of the conductive element 2 and of the leaf spring 3 assembled together with further electrical conductor Y, also shown in Figures 12-15. For this reason, these technical effects and advantages will not be repeated.

[0117] With reference to the aforesaid figures, we will now describe a connection example of the terminal for electrical spring connection 1 of the electrical device 100 to said at least one electrical conductor W and the further electrical conductor Y.

[0118] The installer has available an electrical device 100 (outlet), such as a SCHUKO type power outlet like the one shown in Figure 1, previously assembled by the supplier.

[0119] The electrical device 100 comprises a terminal for internal electrical spring connection 1 described above.

[0120] The installer also has available said at least one electrical conductor W and the further electrical conductor Y for wiring the said electrical device 100.

[0121] The installer removes the insulating coating (W, Y) from said at least one electrical conductor W and further electrical conductor Y in order to obtain a minimum stripping length of about 5 mm (for cables used in power devices, it is preferable to obtain and guarantee a minimum stripping length of about 7 mm).

[0122] Then, if said at least one electrical conductor W and further electrical conductor Y are electrical cables of the flexible type, the installer activates the lever mechanism 19 to exert a pressure on said at least one first contact arm 10 (and on the second contact arm 12) of the leaf spring 3 so as to allow the insertion of said at least one electrical conductor W and the further electrical conductor Y between said at least one conductive element 2 and the leaf spring 3.

[0123] In particular, said at least one electrical conductor W and further electrical conductor Y are inserted in correspondence of, respectively, the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6 of the conductive element 2 and the free end 9 of the second side wall 7 of the conductive element 2.

[0124] At this point, the installer releases the lever mechanism 19 so as to lock said at least one electrical conductor W and the further electrical conductor Y between said conductive element 2 and the leaf spring 3 following the pressure exerted by said at least one first contact arm 10 and by the second contact arm 12 of the leaf spring 3.

[0125] In this operating configuration, said at least one electrical conductor W and further electrical conductor Y in turn exert a pressure, respectively, on the free end 8 of said at least one first side wall 6 of the conductive element 2 and the free end 9 of the second side wall 7 of the conductive element 2.

[0126] In this way, it is possible to obtain, both on said at least one electrical conductor W and on the further electrical conductor Y, a bent conformation, namely a first bend in correspondence of a first contact point C1 between the electrical conductor and the conductive element 2 and a second bend in correspondence of a second contact point C2 between the electrical conductor and the leaf spring 3.

[0127] It should be noted that in this operating configuration, each electrical conductor is housed inside of the containment profile of the first upper contact portion (8', 9') of the free end (8, 9) of said at least one first side wall 6 and of the second side wall 7 of the conductive element 2.

[0128] In addition, the strands of each electrical conductor are advantageously distributed on the contact profile 11', 13' present on the free end 11', 13' of each contact arm 10, 12 of the leaf spring 3.

[0129] The wiring of the electrical device 100 by the installer is finished.

[0130] As can be seen, the purpose of the invention is fully achieved since, as mentioned earlier, the terminal for electrical spring connection according to this invention, the light of the conformation of the conductive element (conductive frame or terminal block), allows a greater ease of assembly and wiring of the terminal, requires a more rapid stripping of the electrical conductors (minimum length stripping reduced) and ensures a high hold of the electrical conductor or cable inserted in the terminal, consequently allowing the use of lever mechanisms that are softer to operate.

[0131] To the embodiments of the terminal for electrical spring connection described above, a skilled person in the field, to satisfy contingent requirements, may make modifications, adaptations and replacements of members with others functionally equivalent, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be achieved independently from the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. Terminal (1) for electrical spring connection, comprising:

- an electrically conductive element (2) configured to operate as electricity busbar;

- a leaf spring (3) configured to be operatively coupled to the electrically conductive element (2) to lock in a removable manner against the electrically conductive element (2) at least one electrical conductor (W, Y);

said electrically conductive element (2) comprising a support wall (5) adapted to define a first reference plane (P) and at least a first side wall (6) joined to the support wall (5) and extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane (P), said at least one first side wall (6) comprising a first free end (8), opposite to one end joined to the support wall (5), adapted to contact said at least one electrical conductor (W), on action of the leaf spring (3) between said support wall (5) and said first free end (8) of said at least one first side wall (6),
the terminal (1) being characterized in that the first free end (8) of said at least one first side wall (6) comprises a first upper contact portion (8') having a distance from the support wall (5), along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first reference plane (P), equal to a set first value (L1), the first free end (8) also comprising a second lower contact portion (8") having a distance from the support wall (5), along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane (P), equal to a set second value (L2), different from said set first value (L1), so that, when under the action of the leaf spring (3), the first free end (8) is adapted to contact said at least one electrical conductor (W) deforming and retaining the at least one electrical conductor (W) in a bent conformation having one or more bends.

2. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first upper contact portion (8') of the free end (8) of said at least one first side wall (6), parallel to the first reference plane (P), has a substantially C-shaped containment profile adapted to contain a portion of said at least one electrical conductor (W).

3. Terminal (1) according to claim 2, wherein the second lower contact portion (8') of the free end (8) of said at least one first side wall (6), parallel to the first reference plane (P), has a substantially flat profile.

4. Terminal (1) according to claim 2, wherein the second lower contact portion (8') of the free end (8) of said at least one first side wall (6), parallel to the first reference plane (P), has a substantially C-shaped containment profile adapted to contain a portion of said at least one electrical conductor (W, Y).

5. Terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leaf spring (3) comprises at least one first contact arm (10) having a free end (11) adapted to contact said at least one electrical conductor (W), the leaf spring (3) further comprising a first support wall (14), opposite to said at least one first contact arm (10), connected to said at least one first contact arm (10) by a second support wall (15), the second support wall (15) defining a second reference plane (P'), the at least one first contact arm (10) being connected to the second support wall (15) via a first connecting wall (16).

6. Terminal (1) according to claim 5, wherein said free end (11) of said at least one first contact arm (10) comprises a contact portion (11') having a substantially curved profile.

7. Terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive element (2) further comprises a second side wall (7) connected to the support wall (5) and extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first reference plane (P), said at least one first side wall (6) and the second side wall (7) being connected together by the support wall (5), the second side wall (7) comprising a first free end (9), opposite to one end joined to the support wall (5), adapted to contact a further electrical conductor (Y), upon the action of the leaf spring (3), between said support wall (5) and said first free end (9) of the second side wall (7), the first free end (9) of the second side wall (7) comprising a first upper contact portion (9') having a distance from the support wall (5), along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first reference plane (P), equal to a set first value (L1), the first free end (9) comprises a second contact portion lower (9") having a distance from the support wall (5), along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first reference plane (P), equal to a set second value (L2), different from said set first value (L1).

8. Terminal (1) according to claim 7, wherein the leaf spring (3) further comprises a second contact arm (12), coupled to said at least one first arm (10), having a respective free end (13) adapted to contact the further electrical conductor (Y), the second contact arm (12) being connected to the second support wall (15) via a second connecting wall (17).

9. Terminal (1) according to claim 8, wherein the free end (13) of the second contact arm (12) of the leaf spring (3) comprises a contact portion (13') having a substantially curved profile.

10. Terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set second value (L2) is less than the set first value (L1).

11. Terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set second value (L2) is more than the set first value (L1).

12. Electrical device (100) including at least one terminal for electrical spring connection (1) as defined in any one of the preceding claims for the electrical connection of the electrical device (100) with at least one respective electrical conductor (W, Y).

Drawing