CN108075254B

CN108075254B - electrical connector

Info

Publication number: CN108075254B
Application number: CN201710565575.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张卫东; 金华军
Original assignee: Yancheng Shiming Electronic Devices Co ltd; Delphi Electrical Centers Shanghai Co Ltd
Current assignee: Anbofu Connector System Yancheng Co ltd; Delphi Electrical Centers Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-12
Filing date: 2017-07-12
Publication date: 2024-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-12
Also published as: CN108075254A

Abstract

An electrical connector configured to engage two or more electrical wires and cables is disclosed. The connector includes a bus bar and a clamping spring housed within a housing. When the clamping spring applies a first spring force, the free end of the clamping spring brings the wire and cable into contact with the bus bar. The connector also includes an actuator pivotally attached to the housing and having a cam portion that engages the clamping spring when the actuator is in an open position , thereby moving the clamping section away from the bus bar and causing the spring bending section to exert a second spring force that is greater than the first spring force. When the actuator is in the closed position and the cam section is disengaged from the actuation section, the spring bending section exerts the first spring force and the free end of the clamping section Contact the bus bar.

Description

Electric connector

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an electrical connector configured to join two wires and cables.

Background

Spring force terminals of various forms are known, such as conductor terminals, terminal boxes, terminal blocks, or they are installed in electrical devices, automobiles, automation devices for industrial control or construction automation.

European patent No. EP 1213791 B1 discloses an electrical connector comprising a cage-type tension spring comprising a self-supporting actuation lever. This actuating lever is rotatably mounted on the backward curved busbar section.

German patent publication DE 102008060282 A1 discloses a spring terminal which can be actuated without the use of tools for electrical conductors, wherein an actuation lever is suspended in a slot in a resting limb of a cage-type tensioning spring and guided transversely through the cage-type tensioning spring with at least one side limb.

German patent No. DE102008052626B4 describes a terminal comprising an arcuate portion engaged on both sides around a clamping spring, on which an actuating lever is hinged.

European patent No. EP 2001086 B1 discloses a screw-free connection terminal comprising a cage-type tension spring, wherein an actuating lever is suspended in a bearing bend of a bus bar behind a spring bend of the cage-type tension spring. The actuating lever engages around the bus bar on both sides and rests on the actuating section of the cage tensioning spring.

Chinese patent publication No. 104885303A discloses a spring force terminal comprising a bus bar, a terminal spring in the form of a cage tension spring, and an actuating element which is replaceably mounted to act on an actuating section of the terminal spring so that the terminal points can be opened and closed. The support arm extends from the direction of the bus bar through a slot in the terminal section and/or the actuation section of the terminal spring. The sections of the support arms extending through the slots are arranged in the region between the lateral edges of the terminal springs and support the actuating elements.

Against this background, there remains a need for an electrical connector that improves the electrical connection between cables engaged by the electrical connector and improves retention of the cables within the electrical connector.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because of the mention in the background section. Similarly, the problems mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different methods, which may themselves be inventions.

Brief description of the invention

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a planar bus bar having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The bus bar defines a slot in an opposite distal edge and an aperture in a proximal portion of the bus bar, the aperture being laterally aligned with the slot. The electrical connector also includes a pair of clamping springs. Each clamping spring has: a base section in contact with the first major surface of the bus bar; an attachment section extending from the base section; a spring bending section adjoining the attachment section; an actuation section adjacent to the spring bending section and opposite the base section; and a clamping section adjacent to the actuation section and extending toward the second major surface of the bus bar. The spring bending section defines an aperture configured to receive a wire and cable. The free end of the clamping section is configured to contact the wire and cable with the second major surface of the bus bar when the spring bending section applies a first spring force. The base section defines a pair of C-shaped protrusions extending through one of the slot and the aperture to engage the second major surface of the bus bar. The pair of C-shaped protrusions is configured to secure the clamping spring to the bus bar. The electrical connector further comprises: a housing defining a cavity in which the bus bar and clamping spring pair are disposed, and further defining an opening configured to receive the wire and cable within the cavity; and an actuator having a cam section pivotally attached to the housing. The cam section engages the actuation section of one of the clamping springs when the actuator is in an open position, thereby moving the clamping section away from the second major surface of the bus bar and causing the spring bending section to apply a second spring force that is greater than the first spring force, wherein when the actuator is in a closed position and the cam section is disengaged from the actuation section, the spring bending section applies the first spring force and the free end of the clamping section contacts the second major surface of the bus bar.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator defines a pair of lever arms oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wire cable. The lever arms are spaced apart from each other and interconnected by a cross bar oriented generally perpendicular to the lever arms. The arm end of each lever arm defines the cam section. These arm ends are arranged opposite to the crossbar. Each of the arm ends defines a cylindrical post on a side of the arm end opposite the cam section. The housing at least partially defines a cylindrical socket in which the post is received. The actuator is pivotable about this strut.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is an exploded perspective schematic view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram in cut-away perspective of the electrical connector of fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1 with the contact spring in a retracted position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention with the contact spring in the retracted position of FIG. 3 and a wire and cable inserted within the electrical connector; and

fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the electrical connector of fig. 1 with a wire and cable inserted within the electrical connector and a contact spring in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Disclosed herein is an electrical connector configured to electrically interconnect two or more wires and cables. The connector includes a bus bar and a pair of clamping springs housed within a housing. The free end of each clamping spring is configured to contact the wire and cable with the bus bar when the clamping spring applies a first spring force. The connector also includes an actuator pivotally attached to the housing and having a cam portion that engages the clamping spring when the actuator is in the open position, thereby moving the free end of the clamping spring away from the bus bar, and disengages the actuation section when the actuator is in the closed position, thereby allowing the clamping spring to apply a first spring force and the free end of the clamping spring contacts the bus bar or the wire and cable between the free end and the bus bar.

Fig. 1-5 illustrate a non-limiting example or embodiment of an electrical connector assembly 10 designed to electrically interconnect or join two or more electrical wires and cables 12. The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a bus bar 14, a pair of clamping springs 16, and a pair of actuators 18 disposed within an insulative housing 20. The wire and cable 12 is electrically interconnected by a generally planar bus bar 14 formed of an electrically conductive material, such as a copper alloy. The bus bar 14 defines a pair of generally rectangular notches 22 on each of the distal ends (i.e., the outer small edges of the bus bar 14). The bus bar 14 also defines a generally rectangular aperture 24 aligned with the slot 22 along the transverse axis Y.

Each of the clamping springs 16 brings each of the electrical wires and cables 12 into contact with the top surface 26 of the bus bar 14. The actuator 18 in the open position 28 moves the clamping spring 16 away from the bus bar 14, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, to allow the wire and cable 12 to be inserted between the clamping spring 16 and the bus bar 14, and when the actuator 18 is in the closed position, to allow the clamping spring 16 to contact the bus bar 14 or the wire and cable 12 (if the wire and cable is inserted in the connector assembly 10), as shown in fig. 2 and 5.

The clamping spring 16 is integrally formed of an electrically conductive material and preferably is formed of an electrically conductive material, but embodiments are contemplated in which the clamping spring 16 is formed of a non-conductive material. The clamping spring 16 has a base section 30,

the base section is in contact with the bottom surface 32 of the bus bar 14. The base section 30 defines a pair of C-shaped protrusions 34 at each lateral end 36 of the clamping spring 16 that extend through one of the slots 22 and apertures 24 to engage the top surface 26 of the bus bar 14 to secure the clamping spring 16 to the bus bar 14. The clamping spring 16 has a generally flat attachment section 38 integrally attached to the base section 30 and extending from a top surface 40 of the base section 30. The attachment section 38 defines an aperture 42 configured to receive the electrical wire and cable 12 therethrough. As the clamping spring 16 extends away from the base section 30, it defines an arcuate spring bending section 44 adjacent to the attachment section 38 that is configured to generate a majority of the spring force exerted by the clamping spring 16. The clamping spring 16 also defines an actuation section 46 adjacent the spring bending section, which is disposed generally opposite the base section 30. Each actuator 18 primarily contacts an actuation section 46. The clamping spring 16 also includes a clamping section 48 adjacent the actuation section 46 that extends toward the top surface 26 of the bus bar 14. The clamping spring 16 exerts a first clamping force on a clamping section 48 configured to contact the wire and cable 12 with the top surface 26 of the bus bar 14.

As best shown in fig. 1, each actuator 18 defines a pair of lever arms 52 oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the wire and cable 12. The lever arms 52 are spaced apart from one another and interconnected by a cross bar 54 oriented generally perpendicular to the lever arms 52. The arm end 56 of each lever arm 52 defines a cam section 58 that defines a cam profile. These arm ends 56 are disposed opposite the crossbar 54. When the actuator 18 is in the open position 28 shown in fig. 3 and 4, the cam section 58 of the actuator 18 engages the actuation section 46 of the clamping spring 16, thereby moving the clamping section 48 away from the top surface 26 of the bus bar 14 and causing the clamping spring 16 to apply a second spring force that is greater than the first spring force. When the actuator 18 is in the closed position 29, the cam section 58 is disengaged from the actuation section 46.

As best shown in fig. 1, the housing 20 has: a front portion 60 including an opening 62 through which the electrical wire and cable 12 may be inserted; and a rear portion 64 attached to the front portion 60 by a snap feature 66. The front portion 60 and the rear portion 64 of the housing 20 at least partially define a slot 68 in which the cam section 58 is received. The actuator 18 is pivotable about a cam section 58.

The connector assembly 10 may be formed by the following method.

In a first step, a front portion 60 of the housing 20 is provided and the cam section 58 of the actuator 18 is inserted into a portion of the slot 68 formed in the front portion 60 of the housing 20.

In a second step, the clamping spring 16 is formed by stamping a metal flat plate having an aperture 42 and a pair of protrusions extending from an outer edge. The clamping spring 16 is then bent to form the base section 30, the attachment section 38, the spring bending section 44, the actuation section 46, and the clamping section 48. The tabs are then bent so that they are generally perpendicular to the top surface 40 of the bus bar 14 and inserted into one of the slots 22 and apertures 24 in the bus bar 14. The free ends of the tabs are then folded over the top surface 40 of the bus bar 14, thus forming C-shaped tabs. This process is repeated for the second clamping spring 16.

In a third step, the assembled bus bar 14 and clamping spring 16 are inserted into a cavity formed in the front portion 60 of the housing 20.

In a fourth step, the cam section 58 of the actuator 18 is inserted into a portion of the slot 68 formed by the rear portion 64 of the housing 20 and the rear portion 64 of the housing 20 is attached to the front portion 60 by the snap-fit feature 66.

The example of the connector assembly 10 shown in fig. 1-5 has two wire cables 12 connected to a bus bar 14 by a pair of clamping springs 16. An alternative embodiment of the connector assembly may have two wires and cables pressed against the bus bar by the same clamping spring. Other alternative embodiments of the connector assembly may include three or more wires and cables attached to the bus bar by three or more clamping springs, or even a single wire and cable attached to the bus bar by a single spring.

Although the illustrated example shows two independently operable actuators 18, other embodiments are contemplated in which the actuators are collectively actuated, for example, by a common rail. Other embodiments may have a shared lever arm between the actuators.

Other alternative embodiments may include an electrical connector having openings on opposite sides of the housing for inserting wires and cables, rather than having openings on one side of the housing, as shown in fig. 1-5.

Thus, an electrical connector assembly 10 is provided that may be used to interconnect or join two or more electrical wires and cables 12. The electrical connector assembly 10 may ensure that the cables are electrically connected to each other well and may ensure good retention of the cables to the electrical connector assembly 10.

While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto but only to the extent set forth in the following claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order of importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Furthermore, directional terms such as upper, lower, etc. do not denote any particular orientation, but rather the terms upper, lower, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another and establish a relationship between the various elements in position.

Claims

1. An electrical connector configured to electrically interconnect electrical wires and cables, the electrical connector comprising:

A planar bus bar having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the planar bus bar defining a slot in an opposing distal edge and in which the planar bus bar An aperture is defined in a proximal portion of the strip, said aperture being laterally aligned with said slot;

a pair of clamping springs, each clamping spring having: a base section in contact with the first major surface of the planar bus bar; and an attachment section from the the base section extends; a spring bend section adjacent the attachment section; an actuation section adjacent the spring bend section and with the base section Opposite; and a clamping section adjacent the actuation section and extending towards the second major surface of the planar bus bar, wherein the spring bend section defines an aperture, the The aperture is configured to receive a wire cable, wherein the free end of the clamping section is configured to engage the wire cable with the third planar bus bar when the spring flexure section exerts a first spring force. The two major surfaces are in contact, and wherein the base section defines a pair of C-shaped protrusions extending through one of the slot and the aperture to engage all of the planar bus bars. the second major surface, the pair of C-shaped protrusions configured to secure the clamping spring to the planar bus bar;

a housing defining a cavity in which the planar bus bar and the pair of clamping springs are disposed, and further defining an opening configured to receive the electrical wire cable within the cavity;

an actuator having a cam section pivotally attached to the housing, wherein the cam section engages one of the clamping springs when the actuator is in an open position the actuating section thereby moving the clamping section away from the second major surface of the planar bus bar and causing the spring bending section to exert a second spring force greater than the first spring force , wherein when the actuator is in the closed position and the cam section is disengaged from the actuation section, the spring bending section applies the first spring force and the clamping section The free end contacts the second major surface of the planar bus bar.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the actuator defines a pair of lever arms oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the wire cable, the lever arms being spaced apart and extending by a direction perpendicular to the lever Arm-oriented crossbars are interconnected, wherein an arm end of each lever arm defines the cam section, the arm end being disposed opposite the crossbar.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein each arm end defines a cylindrical post opposite the cam section, and wherein the housing at least partially defines a cylindrical slot receiving the cylindrical post therein. , and wherein the actuator is pivotable about the cylindrical support.