Patent Grant
11289832
This application claims the benefit of French Application No. FR 19 06946, filed on Jun. 26, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference
The present invention relates to the field of electric power connectors.
It relates more particularly to terminal block connection assemblies.
A “terminal block” is a device for creating electrical continuity between a cable and another part of the installation. A terminal block, also known by the name connection terminal or screwed terminal, is an electrically insulated module that fastens together two or more electric wires/cables that are intended to be electrically connected to one another, and comprises an insulating support and at least one tightening component for fastening the wires/cables.
“Contact” is understood here and in the context of the present invention to mean an element made of electrically conductive material for channelling electric current.
Although it is described with reference to one preferred application, that of aeronautics, and more particularly the wiring of aircraft, the invention may be implemented in any other application that requires a power connection between a large number of electric cables/wires in a joining area.
One of the operations in wiring aircraft is that of electrically connecting a large number of electric power cables/wires to one another.
This operation is usually implemented using a screwed terminal block, fastened to the structure of the aircraft, and in which the plurality of electric cables/wires are inserted and then fixed by tightening.
This terminal block 1 firstly comprises an electrically insulating support 10 in which there are fastened terminal screws 11 that each form, with a nut 12, a screw and nut system for clamping the lugs 20 fitted to the cables 2.
An electrically conductive washer 13, which is a wave washer, is provided for each screw and nut system.
An electrically conductive bar 14 is passed through by each terminal screw 11. This bar 14 forms a bearing surface for the cable lugs 20 and thus constitutes an electric 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 extend over only a partial length and electrically connect only some of the screws.
The support 10 is fastened 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 and nut systems 11, 12.
Since the terminal block 1 is not sealtight, an additional cover, commonly called an “umbrella”, is fastened to the structure of the aircraft, above the terminal block, in order to prevent condensed moisture from dripping directly onto the cables 2 connected in the terminal block.
In addition to this non-sealtight aspect, such a screwed terminal block 1 has numerous major drawbacks.
First of all, the lugs 20 have to be oriented perfectly in order to be threaded around the terminal screws 11 for a satisfactory electrical connection. More often than not, this means that an operator has to untwist the cables 2.
The excess length of the cables, that is to say the additional length on the nominal side in order to compensate for wiring variations, or by contrast the shortage of length is difficult to manage for an operator at the terminal block 1, due to the rigidity of the cables 2, several of which may be joined to one another upstream of the terminal block. This excess length is all the more detrimental to an operator when he has untwisted the cables 2.
The number of components to be managed (screws, nuts, washers, shunt bar, cover, umbrella component) by an operator responsible for assembly is significant, with an additional high risk of loss of components, which therefore leads to a risk of foreign object damage (FOD) or mechanical debris that may cause damage, it being sought to absolutely avoid this in the field of aeronautics.
This risk of loss of components is all the greater when the areas in which the existing terminal blocks 1 are installed are difficult to access and/or highly restricted in terms of access and/or have a location that is inconvenient for the operator. For example, the insulating support 10 is usually fastened on the side of the ceiling in the structure of an aircraft.
In addition to intrinsic tightening operations using screws, which may take a long time for a dedicated operator, another operator is dedicated to systematically checking the tightening torques applied in order to fasten the lugs 20 of the cables.
Therefore, a screwed terminal block requires the cables not to be powered in order to avoid electrical risks for the operators responsible for the electrical connection. Moreover, these risks are not able to be completely eliminated during tests for checking correct operation.
Ultimately, the installation time for a screwed terminal block is thus lengthy.
Lastly, screwed terminal blocks do not allow modularity, since the number of cables 2 that are able to be connected in just one terminal block is fixed.
There is therefore a need to further improve existing terminal blocks, in particular in order to afford greater modularity, to facilitate installation, more particularly in areas with restricted access and/or for a large number of electric wires/cables to be connected, and to protect the operators responsible for the connection against electrical risks.
The invention aims to meet this need in full or in part.
To this end, one subject of the invention, according to one of its aspects, is a terminal block connection assembly, intended in particular to connect a plurality of electric cables to one another, comprising:
In other words, the invention essentially consists of a terminal block connection assembly with a terminal block comprising one or more connection modules with a plurality of connection cavities, the individual fastening of which to a support rail that is itself intended to be fastened to a structure is ensured by one or more positioning pieces that are each able to be inserted into and then held in a fastening groove through a single translational movement.
This translational movement simultaneously ensures the individual locking of the module to the rail by virtue of a plate mounted so as to slide over the module hooking onto a hooking relief provided for this purpose in the rail.
Once the module(s) has (have) been fastened and locked to the rail, the terminations of electric cables are connected to this (these) module(s) in order to create the desired electrical connections to one another.
According to one variant embodiment, the module comprises at least two cavities that are or are not aligned.
The cavities may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the module.
According to at least one advantageous embodiment, the module comprises at least one elastic return means for returning the plate from its unlocking position to its locking position.
The return means is preferably a helical spring.
Again preferably, the elastic return means is designed to keep the locking plate in its locking position.
Advantageously, the direction of translation of the positioning piece is along the longitudinal axis (X) of the module.
According to one advantageous variant embodiment, the module has a parallelepipedal general shape; the locking plate preferably being substantially in the shape of a U, designed to slide over the square or rectangular cross section of the module.
According to this variant, the upper outer face of the locking plate is on the same plane as or set back from the upper outer face of the module body in the locking position of the plate.
According to one advantageous feature, the locking relief of the support rail is a hook designed to interact, by hooking, with a projection of the plate in the form of a locking relief thereof.
The terminal block according to the invention may comprise at least one electrical connection module comprising at least two rows of two cavities that are arranged above one another.
The two rows of cavities may be electrically connected to one another by the electric shunt or may not be electrically connected to one another.
According to one advantageous embodiment, the terminal block comprises a plurality of electrical connection modules of same or different sizes, with cavities a of same or different sizes for housing electrical terminations of same or different sizes.
Another subject of the invention is an electrical connection module, designed to form part of a terminal block described above, having a longitudinal axis (X) comprising:
According to one advantageous embodiment, the module may comprise:
According to another advantageous embodiment, the module may comprise at least one latch, preferably in the shape of a U, comprising reliefs arranged towards the inside, the latch being designed to slide over the body between an unlocking position and a locking position in which the reliefs of the latch are interleaved in the complementary reliefs of a sleeve of one of the terminations so as to block the latter in translation along the axis (X) with respect to the body, in a position in which said termination is inserted into the cavity of the body chosen from among at least two possible positions.
The last subject of the invention is an aircraft structure, comprising at least one terminal block connection assembly described above.
The invention has numerous advantages over what exists, among which mention may be made of:
Numerous applications are contemplated for a terminal block according to the invention, among which mention may be made of wiring of civilian aircraft.
Other advantages and features of the invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the detailed description of exemplary implementations of the invention, given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the following figures.
Throughout the present application, the terms “vertical”, “lower”, “upper”, “bottom”, “top”, “below” and “above” should be understood with reference to a terminal block according to the invention with an electrical connection module in a configuration fastened to a horizontally arranged support rail.
Likewise, the terms “internal” and “external” should be understood with reference to an electrical connection module body according to the invention.
For the sake of clarity, one and the same reference numeral is used for one and the same element of an electric cable according to the prior art and an electric cable according to the invention.
This terminal block 1 comprises a plurality of electrical connection modules 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 with an electrically insulating body 30 with a longitudinal axis X, the modules being fastened and locked individually to a support rail 10. This rail may be made of an electrically insulating material, but may also be made of an electrically conductive material in order to create a common ground or for reasons of protecting against electromagnetic interference.
Each electrical connection module 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 is intended to house, lock and connect electric cable terminations 4 to one another.
As illustrated, the modules are of different sizes with a different number of cavities for receiving electric 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 one another, 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 one another, each of the two cavities 31 facing one another, 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 one another, each of the two cavities 31 facing one another, each cavity 31 being of the same first size as the cavities 31 of the modules 3.1.
An electric cable termination 4 with a central axis X1 comprises an electrically insulating sleeve 40 and a cylindrical electrical contact 41 crimped to an electric cable 2, inserted and fastened through snap-fastening inside the sleeve 40 by way of a holding clip 42.
The sleeve 40 lastly comprises, on its outer periphery, ridges 43 that extend about the axis X1 over part of the length of the sleeve.
The outside of an electrical connection module 3 according to the invention is illustrated only in
The body 30 of a connection module 3 internally comprises at least one row of two cavities 31 of the same size, facing one another, intended to electrically connect two electric cable terminations 4 to one another, as explained below.
A first locking plate 32 in the general shape of a U is mounted so as to slide over the central part of the body 30 in a direction transverse to the axis X of the module 3. As described below, this first locking plate 32 is intended to lock the module 3 to the support rail 10 by way of hooking projections 33 formed individually inside each branch of the U.
Positioning pieces 34 project from the bottom of the body 30. As illustrated, these pieces 34 have a T-shaped general cross section with a widened base in comparison with the part above forming the junction with the bottom of the body 30. In the illustrated embodiments, two pieces 34 at a distance from one another project from the bottom of the body 30. It goes without saying that a single positioning piece 34 or a number greater than 2 thereof may be provided.
Two second locking plates 35 are each mounted so as to slide over an end part of the body 30 in a direction transverse to the axis X of the module 3. As described below, each second locking plate 35 is intended to lock an electric cable termination 4 inside a cavity 31 in the bottom of the body 30, once it has been inserted into said cavity.
Two third locking plates 36 are each mounted so as to slide over an end part of the body 30 inside a plate 35, in a direction transverse to the axis X of the module 3.
As described below, each third locking plate 36 is intended to lock an electric cable termination 4 inside a cavity 31 in the top of the body 30, once it has been inserted into said cavity.
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 for holding this locking plate 32 in its locking position by returning this locking plate 32 from its unlocking position to its locking position, as described below.
As illustrated in
The open grooves are:
Each insertion groove 102 is adjacent to a fastening groove 103 in the direction of the width of the rail.
Two insertion and fastening grooves 102 and 103, respectively, that are 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 between two positioning pieces 34.
Two non-joined locking half-grooves 104, with a width equal to half 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 between the two projections 33 of the locking plate 32.
Two pairs each consisting of an insertion groove 102 and of a fastening groove 103 in the extension are separated in the direction of the length of the rail by a distance equal to the distance between the two positioning pieces 34.
Thus, a complete scheme for inserting, fastening and locking a connection module 3 to the support rail 10 consists of two pairs each consisting of an insertion groove 102 and a fastening groove 103 that are aligned, and of two non-joined locking half-grooves 104 that are separated by the abovementioned two pairs.
The method for fastening and locking a connection module 3 to a support rail 10 according to the invention is now described with reference to
Step a/: the operator brings a connection module 3 flush with the support rail 10 by placing each positioning piece 34 so as to face an insertion groove 102 (
Step b/: the operator then centres and inserts each positioning piece 34 into an insertion groove 102 (
Once the insertion has finished, the bottom of the connection module 3 abuts on the top face 100 of the rail 10.
Step c/: the operator then moves the connection module 3 in translation along its longitudinal axis X, thereby causing each positioning piece 34 to move in translation into a fastening groove 103 (
This translational movement simultaneously creates mechanical contact between at least one of the branches of the U of the locking plate 32, which then slides over the locking tab 105 (
Step d/: the translational movement is continued until at least one positioning piece 34 abuts against the bottom of the fastening groove 103 (
The plate 32, and hence the connection module 3, are then locked to the support rail 10 by way of each tab 105, which hooks onto a locking projection 33 (
As may be seen in this
If it is necessary to disassemble the connection module 3, that is to say to unlock it and remove it from the support rail 10, the operator proceeds as follows:
Step e/: the operator presses the plate 32 downwards, thereby disengaging the projection 33 from the locking tab 105 and thereby unlocking the connection module 3 from the rail (
Step f/: the operator may then move the connection module 3 in translation in the direction opposite to that in steps c/ and d/, until each piece 34 reaches the insertion groove 102 and is thus able to be disengaged therefrom. The module 3 may then be removed by moving it away from the rail 10, that is to say by moving it upwards.
A description is now given of the assembly with the locking of electric cable terminations 4 inside a connection module 3 according to the invention.
As illustrated in
This conductive tube 38 thus comprises two cavities into each of which an electrical contact 41 is able to be inserted with mechanical contact on its outer periphery. The electrical continuity between the electric cable 2 of a termination 4 and the conductive tube 38 is thus created by this contact with the contact 41.
The conductive tube 38 may be equipped with at least one electrical continuity wall 380 inside the body 30, also called electric shunt, which creates electrical continuity between at least two rows of cavities 31 above one another and into which at least four contacts 41, all of which it is desired to electrically connect to one another, are inserted.
In other words, the conductive tube 38 with at least one shunt 380 makes it possible to electrically interconnect contacts 41 that are inserted into cavities 31 in the body 30 on different rows.
It goes without saying that it is possible to contemplate an electrically conductive tube 38 without an electrical continuity wall 380 and thus to have cavities in the conductive tube on one row that are not electrically connected to the other row below or above. In other words, it is possible to provide an electrically conductive tube 38 that makes it possible to electrically connect only two terminations 4 that are inserted, facing one another, into the body 30. This configuration is shown in
By contrast, it is also possible to contemplate an electrically conductive tube with an electrical wall that makes it possible to electrically interconnect only two terminations 4 that are inserted, above one another, into the body 30.
In order to improve the electrical continuity between a terminal 4 contact 41 and the cavity of a conductive tube 38, it is possible to arrange a flexible electrical multi-contact ring 39 (as in the case of power contacts) inside said conductive tube.
As illustrated in
According to the invention, there is advantageously provision to have a locking plate (latches) 35, 36 for locking a cable termination 4 in a cavity 31 that is independent of all of the others for the same module 3.
Thus, in the illustrated examples, a cable termination 4 may be locked in each cavity 31 from the bottom by a locking plate 35 that slides around one of the lateral parts of the body 30, whereas a cable termination 4 may be locked in each cavity 31 from the top by a locking plate 36 that also slides around one of the lateral parts of the body 30 but between a locking plate 35 and the locking plate 32 for locking the module 3 to a rail 10.
The positions of the latches 35 and 36 on the module 3 may be swapped.
The method for assembling, that is to say fastening and locking, two cable terminations 4 by way of two independent latches 35, 36 in one and the same connection module 3 is now described with reference to
Step i/: the operator slides one of the sliding latches 35 upwards in order thus to bring it into its upper unlocking position (
Step ii/: the operator then inserts a cable termination 4 into a cavity 31 from the bottom with its contact 41 inserted, in contact with a flexible ring 39, into the cavity of the conductive tube 38, clear from the latch 35 in the upper position (
Step iii:/ once step ii/is finished, the operator moves the latch 35 in translation from its upper unlocking position into its lower locking position, in which it blocks the cable termination 4 in translation in the cavity 31 into which it is inserted (
Step j/: the operator slides one of the sliding latches 36 upwards in order thus to bring it into its upper unlocking position (
Step jj/: the operator then inserts a cable termination 4 into a cavity 31 from the top with its contact 41 inserted, in contact with a flexible ring 39, into the cavity of the conductive tube 38, clear from the latch 36 in the upper position (
Step jjj:/ once step jj/ is finished, the operator moves the latch 36 in translation from its upper unlocking position into its lower locking position, in which it blocks the cable termination 4 in translation in the cavity 31 into which it is inserted.
Since the operation of the sliding latches 35, 36 is completely independent of one another, the operator is able to perform steps i/ to iii/ before steps j/ to jjj/ or in a reverse order, that is to say steps j/ to jjj/ first.
When the latch 36 is slid downwards, the ridges 360 formed inside the sliding latch 36 are inserted into the complementary ridges 43 on the outer periphery of the sleeve 40, thereby thus locking, that is to say blocking in translation, the termination 4 in the connection module 3.
In this locking position, the ridges 360 of the latch 36 are therefore interleaved between the ridges 43 of the sleeve 40.
This locking method makes it possible to define a device for compensating for a shortage of length or an excess length of cable 2.
Specifically, depending on the installation conditions in a structure in which a terminal block 1 according to the invention is intended to be fastened, the cables 2 to the end of which the terminations are fastened may have longer or shorter lengths, which may differ by an initially defined nominal length.
By creating ridges 43 over a large part of the length of sleeve 40, blocking by way of complementary ridges 360 makes it possible to compensate for the excess length or shortage of length of the cable 2 by inserting the termination 4 over a longer or shorter length.
The termination 4 at the top is in a first extreme minimally inserted position in which locking thereof in the cavity 31 at the top begins to be possible, since the ridges 360 of the latch are able to be interleaved between the first ridges 43 of the sleeve. In this first extreme position, the sleeve 40 projects by a distance L1 outside the connection module 3.
The termination 4 at the bottom is in a second extreme maximally inserted position in which its contact 41 is in longitudinal abutment against the conductive tube 38. In this second extreme position, the sleeve 40 projects by a distance L2 outside the connection module 3.
The latch 36 is thus able to lock a cable termination 4 in translation in any one of its positions inserted between the first and the second extreme position. In other words, with locking by way of complementary ridges 43, 360, it is possible to compensate for a length of cable 2 substantially equal to L1−L2.
According to the invention, it is advantageous to provide means aimed at guaranteeing to the operator that a cable termination 4 has been inserted correctly.
In fact, if the sleeve 40 is inserted in the first extreme position and beyond this towards the outside of the module, then the ridges 360 of the latch 36 bear against a cylinder 45, that is to say an area without a ridge 45 and formed at the free end of this sleeve 40 (
One or more in particular coloured identification markers 44, 361 allow(s) the operator to quickly identify whether the sleeve 40 has been correctly inserted into and locked in the connection module 3.
These identification markers may consist of a coloured ring 44 behind the ridges 43 on the outer periphery of the sleeve 40 and/or of one or more localized markers 361 of the same colour on the edge of the sliding latch 36.
Thus, if the sleeve 40 is not inserted sufficiently into the connection module 3, one and/or the other of these coloured markers 44, 361 remain(s) visible after insertion, and this is reflected mechanically by it being impossible to lock the termination 4 using the sliding latch 36 (
By contrast, if the sleeve 40 is inserted correctly into the connection module 3, one and/or the other of these coloured markers 44, 361 are no longer visible after insertion, and this is reflected mechanically by it being possible to lock the termination 4 using the sliding latch 36 (
In the locking position, the upper outer face of the latch 36 is preferably in the same plane as or set back slightly from the upper outer face 300 of the module 3. The same applies to the sliding latch 35.
Tabs 351, 362 formed at the end of each of the latches 35, 36, advantageously at the end of each branch when the latches 35, 36 are in the general shape of a U, thus hook respectively into recesses 301, 302 provided for this purpose when the latches 35, 36 are in their unlocking or locking position.
According to another embodiment, there may be provision to block all or some of the components of a cable termination 4 in rotation when it is inserted into a connection module 3.
As is apparent from these
This insertion is made all the easier since it is therefore possible from either of the sides of the module 3, thereby facilitating handling for an operator in areas that are difficult to access.
This electrical connection internal to the body 30 is achieved by way of the electrically conductive tube 38 and its shunt connection wall 380 between the two rows of cavities 31 above one another.
In such a configuration, it is advantageously possible to provide, instead of a cable termination 4, the presence of electrically insulating stops 5 each inserted into a cavity 31.
Each of these stops 5 may be fastened and locked by a sliding latch 35, 36 whose inner ridges 350, 360 engage with the outer ridges 50 formed for this purpose on the outer periphery of the stops 5.
As illustrated in
Thus, in the configuration of
In the configuration of
The stops 5 may also be equipped with toroidal seals 6 at their outer periphery (
Other variants and improvements may be provided without otherwise departing from the scope of the invention.
Although, in the examples illustrated in
Such a configuration is illustrated in
As well, although, in the illustrated examples, a connection module is fastened and locked to a support rail through a translational movement along the longitudinal axis X of the module, that is to say in the direction of the width of the rail, it is obviously possible to contemplate a translational movement in a different direction, in particular a translational movement in a direction orthogonal to the axis X, that is to say in the direction of the length of the rail.
The expression “comprising a” should be understood to be synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless the opposite is specified.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1906946 | Jun 2019 | FR | national |
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| 106025714 | Aug 2018 | CN |
| Entry |
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| European Search Report dated Oct. 19, 2020 for corresponding European Application No. 20180719.5. |
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| Chinese Office Action dated Aug. 11, 2021 for corresponding Chinese Application No. 202010585988.8 and English translations. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200412031 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |
