Connection device comprising a double contact, in particular for medium voltage applications

Abstract

 The invention relates to a connection device in particular for power current applications, with a fixing bracket (1) with two interior, plane, parallel surfaces on an electric connection first part (2), a plug connector (3) on an electric current connection second part (4), a connection part (5) bent into the shape of a horseshoe, which is elastic and which provides the electrical connection, the surfaces of whose branches on the widest part of the horseshoe are pressed on the interior, plane, parallel surfaces (9) of the fixing bracket (1) and where the free ends (6) of the branches (7) provide a pinch grip on the plug connector (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection device comprising a double contact, in particular for medium voltage applications ; it is used, in particular, in bus bar systems, which are ever more frequently being used in the distribution of power currents for industrial and in-house applications. There is a need, in particular in power current distribution boxes, to be able to connect at will different conductors called bus bars, or to be able rapidly to disassemble existing connections.

[0002] The present invention has the object of making available a connection device comprising a double contact between two distant fixed parts, in particular for medium voltage applications, which will be easy to connect, without moving the two fixed parts and which will be easy to disassemble.

[0003] The invention moreover relates to a process for making an electrical connection by the use of such a connection device.

[0004] This object is achieved by means of a connection device comprising a fixing bracket possessing at least two interior, plane, parallel surfaces, being part of a first electrical connection part, a plug connector in the shape of a lance being part of a second connection part and an elastic connection clip bent into the shape of a horseshoe, with branches whose outside surfaces on the widest part of the horseshoe are in press contact with the interior, plane, parallel surfaces of the fixing bracket, whose free ends provide pinch grip on the plug connector.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing bracket with the interior plane parallel surfaces is U-shaped.

[0006] According to another preferred embodiment, the connection clip is a bent metal strip, whose free ends are bent towards the interior, in order to facilitate its introduction on the plug connector.

[0007] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the branches of the connection clip are provided with slots along their longitudinal axis.

[0008] According to still another preferred embodiment, the plug connector comprises a sheet folded backwards with respect to the direction of insertion of the clip, in order to double its thickness.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing bracket and the plug connector are fixed and contact is made by the insertion of the horseshoe-shaped connection clip into the fixing bracket, until the connection clip is at the plug contact in the connection position.

[0010] Moreover, contact between the free ends of the connection clip and of the plug connector is only established when the connection clip has been partially inserted between the parallel surfaces of the fixing bracket.

[0011] The connection clip can have on its base a flat blade terminal for its manipulation during insertion. This flat blade terminal may be integral with the connection clip, or it can be made from a piece of injection-moulded plastic. The use of this type of connection device is more particularly suitable for making a connection between two parts of a bus bar system. The particular advantage of the invention is its use in the manufacture of bus bars destined for a distribution box of medium voltage current.

[0012] The invention also relates to a process for making an electrical connection

[0013] Below, the invention is described more exactly with the help of an embodiment example and with reference to diagrams.

Fig. 1

is a perspective representation of parts to be connected in a bus bar system using a connection clip, and

Fig. 2

shows the insertion of a connection clip into the connection device described in three steps.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a first connection part 2. This part can be comprised in a conductor of a bus bar system. On the said part 2 is a fixing bracket 1, which may be U-shaped. This fixing bracket 1 comprises two arms with two interior, plane, parallel surfaces 9 and linked together by means of the base of the U.

[0015] Fig. 1 also shows a second connection part, for example another conductor of a bus bar system ; a plug connector 3 is integral with the said second connection part.

[0016] Fig. 1 represents the connection clip 5 inserted. The connection clip 5 is a horseshoe-shaped conducting metal element and has two branches 7 bent towards the outside at their ends, in order to acquire a flared shape to facilitate insertion on the connection plug 3, the distance between the two branches 7 at its shortest being slightly less than the thickness of the plug connector 3 which allows grip on the plug 3 when the connection clip 5 is introduced.

[0017] When the clip is inserted in a longitudinal median axis, the free ends 6 of the branches 7 of the connection clip are elastically separated by the plug connector 3 in such a way that the clip tends to be deflected and therefore becomes pressed between the parallel surfaces 9 of the arms of the fixing bracket 1.

[0018] The connection clip is therefore pressed into the interior of the fixing bracket 1 between the two plane parallel surfaces, where it is subjected to a perpendicular force in the centre plane and directed towards the interior, the clip also being pushed on the plug connector 3 where it is subjected to a perpendicular force in the centre plane and directed towards the exterior.

[0019] In order to improve the electrical contact between the connection clip 5 and the plug connector 3 in connection position, the branches 7 of the connection clip 5 have along their longitudinal median axis, longitudinal slots 8. Owing to this, the surface of contact between the connection clip 5 and the inserted plug connector 3 will be increased.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the insertion into the connection clip 5 between he first connection part 2 and the second connection part 4, located in positions which are fixed to one another. It can be seen that the plug connector 3 in a connection position is disposed along a median longitudinal axis between the parallel surfaces 9 of the U-shaped fixing bracket 1. The direction of insertion of the connection clip 5 is the same as the direction of the said median longitudinal axis. The centre figure shows the connection clip 5 partially inserted to where the clip starts to be pressed into the U-shaped fixing bracket following the elastic tightening of the branches 7 of the connection clip 5 on the plug connector, perpendicularly to the direction of insertion. The connection clip 5 with its free ends 6 enters into contact with the end of the plug connector 3, the latter is gripped between the two elastic branches 7 of the connection clip 5. The diagram on the right of Fig. 2 shows the connection clip 5 in its final position, where contact is established between parts 2 and 4. Owing to the sliding of the contact surfaces of the connection clip 5 on the interior surfaces of the U-shaped bracket 1 on the one hand and the external parts of the plug connector 3, a self-cleaning effect of the contact surfaces is simultaneously created, which improves the specific lowresistance of the connection device. On the base of the horseshoe-shaped connection clip is applied a flat blade terminal 10, with the help of which the insertion and guidance of the connection clip 5 can be facilitated.

[0021] The invention also relates to a process for establishing an electrical connection between two connection parts 2 and 4 fixed with respect to one another, the first connection part comprising a fixing bracket 1 and the second connection part comprising a plug connector 3, in which the connection is provided by the moving of a metal clip 5 between the two connection parts, the clip being pressed between the parallel surfaces of the fixing bracket 1 of the first part 2 and being gripped on the plug connector 3 of the second connection part 4 by means of its elastic branches 7. The insertion of the clip is achieved by a pushing force, which is reduced by reason of the fact that the movement of the elastic branches 7 does not take place until after the positioning of the clip in the fixing bracket of the first connection part 1.

[0022] When it is inserted, the connection clip 5 is first surrounded by the fixing bracket 1 before it comes into contact with the plug connector 3 and grips it between its free ends 6.

[0023] The foregoing description is only one example of the embodiment of the present invention and is for illustration only ; it cannot be interpreted in a restrictive manner.

Claims

1. A connection device, in particular for medium voltage applications comprising a fixing bracket (1) having at least two interior, plane, parallel surfaces (9) comprised in a first electrical connection part (2), a lance-shaped plug connector (3) comprised in a second connection part (4) and an elastic connection clip (5) bent into the shape of a horseshoe with branches (7) whose external surfaces on the widest part of the horseshoe, are in pressure contact with the interior, plane, parallel surfaces (9) of the fixing bracket (1) whose free ends (6) provide a pinch grip on the plug connector (3)

2. A connection device according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the fixing bracket with interior plane parallel surfaces is U-shaped.

3. A connection device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the connection clip (5) is a bent metal strip, whose free ends (6) are bent towards the exterior, in order to facilitate its insertion on the plug (3)

4. A connection device according to one of the Claims from 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that the branches (7) of the connection clip (5) are provided with a slot (8) along their longitudinal axis.

5. A connection device according to one of the Claims from 1 to 4, characterised by the fact that the plug connector (3) comprises a sheet folded backwards with respect to the direction of insertion of the clip, in order to double its thickness.

6. A connection device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the fact that the fixing bracket (1) and the plug connector (3) are fixed and that contact is made by the insertion of the horseshoe-shaped connection clip (5) into the fixing bracket (1) until the connection clip is in contact with the plug connector in the connection position (3)

7. A connection device according to Claim 6, characterised by the fact that the contact between the free ends (6) of the connection clip (5) and the plug connector (3) is only made when the connection clip (5) has partially been inserted between the interior plane, parallel surfaces (9) of the fixing bracket (1).

8. A connection device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the fact that the connection clip (5) comprises at its base a flat blade terminal (10) for its manipulation during insertion.

9. A connection device according to Claim 8, characterised by the fact that the flat blade terminal (10) is integral with the connection clip (5).

10. A connection device according to Claim 9, characterised by the fact that the blade terminal (10) is made of injection moulded plastic.

11. A connection device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the fact that the first and / or the second connection part (2, 4) is comprised in a bus bar system,

12. A connection device according to Claim 11, characterised by the fact of its use in a medium voltage current distribution box.

13. A process for establishing an electrical connection between two connection parts (2, 4) fixed with respect to one another, the first connection part comprising a fixing bracket (1) and the second connection part comprising a plug connector (3), characterised by the fact that the connection is provided by the movement of a metal clip (5) between the two connection parts, the clip being pressed between the parallel surfaces of the fixing bracket (1) and gripped on the plug (3).

14. A process according to Claim 13, characterised by the fact that the connection clip (5) is initially surrounded by the fixing bracket (1) before coming into contact with the plug connector (3) and gripping it between its free ends (6).

Drawing