FR3074366A1 - ELECTRICAL TERMINAL, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL. - Google Patents

Abstract

This electric lug comprises an eyelet (1), the eyelet (1) comprises a first protrusion (2), a first free end (3) is provided with an electrical connection device (4), and the eyelet (1). ) comprises a second protrusion (6) distinct from the first protrusion (2), the second protrusion (6) comprising a second free end (7) provided with a mechanical fixing device (8) complementary to the electrical connection device (4) ).

Description

ELECTRIC TERMINAL, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ELECTRIC TERMINAL.

The invention relates to an electrical terminal, an electrical connection device and a vehicle comprising such an electrical terminal.

The invention is particularly but not limited to, applications in the field of motor vehicles, for example electrical connections on the gearbox casings, engines, or electrical connections on the metal parts of the chassis.

In this field, these electrical connections generally connect a flexible electrical cable to the gearbox casings, to motors, or to the metal parts of the chassis. These are generally so-called "ground" cables connected directly or indirectly to a negative terminal of a battery, or more rarely to a positive terminal of the battery. These flexible cables have a twisted conductive core or a braid, and are optionally coated with an insulating sheath.

In the environment of a vehicle, it is advantageous that these flexible cables are guided to travel along a predefined path, thus preserving the flexible cable from any mechanical or thermal attack.

Patent document FR-A-3 028 675 discloses an arrangement for preventing rotation of each element of an assembly of at least one electrical terminal around a stud penetrating through a hole in each element for the attach to a support, in which the arrangement comprises a plate having a drilled part to allow a stud to pass through the plate, at least one leg dipping downwards from the periphery of the plate to penetrate into the support when applying the plate against the support in order to prevent rotation of the plate around the stud, and at least one pair of wings projecting upwards from the periphery to lock the element in relation to the plate.

If this arrangement allows to orient the electrical terminal relative to the support, and therefore to guide the flexible cable, this guidance remains very local to the electrical terminal, and all the mechanical forces of vibratory origin coming from the flexible cable are directly transmitted to the terminal by an electrical connection between the cable and the terminal, this electrical connection being weakened beforehand by crimping or welding for electrical conduction.

The object of the invention is to overcome these two drawbacks simultaneously, by proposing an optimized electrical terminal, an electrical connection device as well as a vehicle comprising this terminal.

To this end, the invention relates to an electrical terminal comprising an eyelet and a connector, this eyelet comprising a first projection, a first free end of which is provided with an electrical connection device, this eyelet further comprising a second protuberance distinct from the first protuberance, this second protuberance comprising a second free end provided with a mechanical fixing device, the electrical connection device and the mechanical fixing device constituting the connector.

By electrical terminal, throughout the text of this document, a terminal made of conductive materials fixed on the core of a conductor.

It will be understood by protrusion of the eyelet, throughout the text of this document, a long protuberance extending outwardly from the periphery of the eyelet, made of the same material and the same part as the eyelet. The free end of such a protrusion is then considered to be half of the long protuberance which is furthest from the eyelet.

We understand by conductor, throughout the text of this document, an electric cable twisted or not, multi-strand or single-strand, or a braid or a metallic tape, optionally coated with an insulating sheath armed or not. The conductor's soul is its conductive part, which is confused with the conductor when the latter does not have an insulating sheath.

Thus, such an electrical terminal is particularly simple to produce, and allows to combine, by itself, three different functions: the electrical connection device for, for example, the core of a conductor, which essentially provides a electrical conduction function, while the mechanical fixing device, which is for this same conductor, provides a holding function transmitting all the mechanical forces induced by the conductor on the second protuberance of the eyelet, and also allowing guidance of the conductor in relation to the eyelet. This mechanical fixing device is carried by the second protuberance distinct from that which carries the electrical connection device. This guidance is advantageous because it is not local to the eyelet, allowing remote guidance of the electrical connection device and therefore more precise guidance. The mechanical forces induced by the driver can no longer request the electrical connection. These induced mechanical forces are for example of vibratory origin in the field of a vehicle, or of human origin during operations of manipulation or assembly of the electrical terminal or of components surrounding the electrical terminal.

Note that the electrical connection device has poor mechanical strength, and that the mechanical fixing device provides strong mechanical strength and / or mechanical strength complementary to the electrical connection device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a first section of the first protuberance is smaller than a second section of the second protuberance, the first and second sections being located at the junction of the first and second protrusions with the 'eyelet.

We understand by section of an element, throughout the text of this document, the surface of the material of this element cut by the section.

Thus, the second section is dimensioned according to the mechanical forces induced by the conductor, while the first section is dimensioned according to electrical stresses such as the maximum admissible intensity. This differentiation is possible although the electrical connection device and the mechanical fixing device are carried by the same eyelet, and do not require any additional part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection device comprises at least one crimping tab.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection device is a screw or leaf spring terminal block.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection device is a weld on the first protuberance.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, this weld is an electrical resistance weld.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, this weld is a soldering or brazing soldering.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mechanical fastening device is a clamp.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamp is made of plastic.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp is molded around the second protuberance.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp is metallic and is welded to the second protuberance.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the mechanical fastening device comprises at least a second crimping tab.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the eyelet and the first and second protuberances are formed in a single sheet.

Indeed, the eyelet is of planar shape and generally formed from a conductive sheet of steel or copper, or even aluminum. It is therefore advisable to form the first and second protrusions from this same sheet, by cutting and then folding and / or stamping.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second protuberance comprises a stiffening rib.

Indeed, depending on the length of this second protuberance, and in order to guarantee the guiding of the conductor, it is advantageous to provide a stiffening for this second protuberance. The stiffening rib, for example a stamped formed along the length of the second protuberance, makes it possible to achieve this stiffening during a stamping operation for producing the eyelet, very economically in terms of time and material.

The invention further relates to an electrical connection device comprising a conductor, and this electrical connection device comprises an electrical terminal as previously described, the conductor having one end electrically connected to the electrical terminal by the connection device electric, and the conductor being further fixed by the mechanical fixing device.

Thus the electrical connection device for the core of the conductor only provides the electrical conduction function between the core of the conductor and the electrical terminal, while the mechanical fixing device performs the function of holding and guiding of the driver in relation to the eyelet. When the conductor's soul does not have an insulating sheath, the mechanical fastening device is in contact with the conductor's soul. When the conductor's core is coated with the insulating sheath, the mechanical fastening device is in contact with the insulating sheath. In the case where the insulating sheath is reinforced, the conductor retention relative to the eyelet is particularly robust.

According to one embodiment of the electrical connection device of the invention, the minimum distance separating a first contact surface between the conductor and the electrical connection device on the one hand, and a second contact surface between the conductor and the mechanical fixing device on the other hand, is equal to at least 60 mm.

Indeed, this minimum distance allows optimization of the guide of the conductor relative to an environment of the electrical terminal, since the conductor is then positioned by the electrical connection device and by the mechanical fixing device at two different points and distant, the mechanical fixing device also ensuring the mechanical holding function of the conductor on the second protuberance. The fact that this minimum distance is at least 60 mm improves the guidance, and also allows accessibility for assembly aid tools for the mechanical fixing device and the electrical connection device.

We understand by minimum distance, throughout the text of this document, the shortest distance between the first and the second contact surface.

The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a metal part and an assembly element, this vehicle comprising an electrical connection device as previously described, the electrical terminal being assembled on the metal part by the element d assembly crossing the eyelet.

Thus, the metal being conductive, the electrical connection device assembled by the assembly element, for example a screw, on the metal part of the vehicle allows the conduction of a current from the conductor to the metal part. For vehicles, this electrical connection device is particularly suitable for electrical connections to ground, that is to say to the reference potential of the vehicle, this potential generally being 0 Volts, known as the negative pole. Indeed, the second protuberance being made in the same conductive material and the same part as the eyelet, it is at the same potential as the eyelet and therefore does not need to be isolated when it is at the reference potential .

Note that, in rare cases, on certain vehicles the reference potential is the positive pole, the electrical connection device then being at the reference potential of the positive pole.

According to an alternative embodiment of the vehicle, the assembly element is unique.

Indeed, by a single assembly element, the electrical lug ensuring the electrical conduction function and the holding function transmitting all the mechanical forces and the guide function of the conductor, this lug is fully secured to the metal part. This has the advantage of being simple and quick to assemble.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the metal part and the eyelet have a complementary shape.

Indeed, this complementary shape creates indexation in rotation of the eyelet relative to the metal part. This has a double advantage: When assembling with, for example, a screw, the eyelet does not rotate with the screw, the operator performing this operation therefore does not have to hold the eyelet, and, the eyelet being indexed in rotation, the second protrusion is also, allowing additional angular guidance of the conductor around the axis of the eyelet.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment which follows, with reference to FIG. 1 attached, which represents an electrical terminal according to invention, this electrical terminal being integrated in an electrical connection device, this electrical connection device being shown fixed on a metal part forming an electrical ground of a vehicle according to the invention.

The assembly shown in Figure 1 comprises an electrical terminal according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising an eyelet 1 and a connector. The eyelet is made of sheet steel, and has a central hole for the passage of an assembly element 15, here a screw. Alternatively, not shown, this connecting element 15 is a rivet or a stud or a clip.

This eyelet 1 includes a first protrusion 2, a first free end 3 of which is provided with an electrical connection device 4 for the core of a conductor 5.

The eyelet 1 further comprises a second protrusion 6 which is distinct from the first protrusion 2, and this second protrusion 6 comprises a second free end 7 provided with a mechanical fixing device 8. The electrical connection device 4 and the mechanical fixing device 8 constitute the connector. The mechanical fixing device 8 is thus complementary to the electrical connection device 4. The connector is capable of receiving the conductor 5, and provides the electrical connection and the mechanical fixing of the conductor 5 to the electrical terminal 1.

A first section S1 of the first protrusion 2 is smaller than a second section S2 of the second protrusion 6, the first and second sections S1, S2 being located at the junction of the first and second protrusions 2, 6 with l 'eyelet

1. These sections S1, S2 are shown diagrammatically by dotted lines in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, these two sections S1, S2 are straight sections, the first and second protrusions 2, 6 forming a folding angle with the eyelet. The folding is carried out locally in the first and second sections S1, S2. The periphery of the eyelet 1 is then rectangular and the first and second protrusions 2, 6 extend in planes different from that of the eyelet 1. In particular, the first protrusion 2 forms a folding angle with the eyelet of 30 ° at the level of the first section S1, and is extended in a rectilinear fashion, while the second protrusion 6 forms a folding angle with the eyelet of 90 ° at the level of the second section S2, then is extended by a bend at 90 ° and by a rectilinear part in the same plane of the second protuberance 6. These two folding angles are oriented in the same direction relative to one face of the plane of the eyelet 1.

However, as a variant, other geometries can be envisaged depending on the constraints of an environment of the electrical terminal, whether it be the value of the two folding angles such as the shape of the first and second protrusions 2, 6 or the location folds. Likewise, the first section S1 and the second section S2 of FIG. 1 are two planar sections, but as a variant the folding is replaced by a stamping allowing sections S1, S2 not planar, in three dimensions.

According to the embodiment of Figure 1, the electrical connection device 3 comprises at least one tongue, in particular two tongues 9, 10, these two tongues 9, 10 being crimping tongues which are folded over the core of the conductor 5. These tongues 9, 10 are orthogonal to the axis of the first longiform protuberance 2.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, the electrical connection device 4 is a screw or leaf spring terminal block. The terminal block screw crushes the core of the conductor 5 in the terminal block, while the spring blade blocks the core of the conductor 5 in the terminal block.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, the electrical connection device 4 is a weld of the core of the conductor 5 on the first protrusion 2.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, this weld is an electrical resistance weld: there is no filler metal.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, this weld is a soldering or brazing soldering.

According to the embodiment of Figure 1, the mechanical fastening device 8 is a clamp 11. This clamp 11 includes a base 12 snapped into the second protrusion 6, this clamp 11 being secured to the base 12, and is for example made of plastic. The base 12 is provided with clips and is snapped by these clips into a recess in the second protrusion 6, for example a hole. As a variant, the clamp 12 is directly snapped into the second protrusion 6. As a further variant, the clamp 12 and glued or welded to the second protrusion 6, or else fixed to this second protrusion 6 by overmolding, or riveting, or screwing.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the mechanical fixing device 8 comprises at least a second crimping tab, folded around the conductor. In another variant, not shown, the mechanical fixing device 8 is an elastic clamp fixed to the second protuberance 6 of which each jaw partially surrounds the conductor 5.

According to the embodiment of Figure 1, the eyelet 1 and the first and second protrusions 2, 6 are formed in a single sheet. Indeed, the eyelet 1 is flat and formed from a sheet of steel. It is therefore advisable to form the first and second protrusions 2, 6 from this same sheet, by cutting and then folding and / or stamping. Like all electrical terminals, it should be noted that the eyelet is made of conductive materials, such as steel, which is a preferred metal for crimping. But the eyelet can also be made of other metals, such as copper, or aluminum. However, steel is the preferred mode, due to its mechanical properties and relatively low cost.

Figure 1 further illustrates the second protrusion 6 comprising a stiffening rib 13. This rib is a stamped which, by its shape, stiffens the second protrusion 6. It will be noted that this rib 13 extends over more than 50% of the length of the second protrusion 6, and that it continues on the eyelet 1 by exceeding the second section S2, therefore beyond the second protrusion 6. This has the effect of stiffening the folding angle 90 °.

Figure 1 also illustrates an electrical connection device comprising the conductor 5, and an electrical terminal as previously described. The conductor 5 has one end electrically connected to the electrical terminal by the electrical connection device 4, and the conductor 5 is also fixed by the mechanical fixing device 8. FIG. 1 illustrates the conductor 5 with the insulating sheath, the device mechanical fixing 8 is therefore in contact with this insulating sheath, unlike the electrical connection device 4 which is in contact with the core of the conductor 5.

A minimum distance D1 separating a first contact surface between the conductor 5 and the electrical connection device 4 on the one hand, and a second contact surface between the conductor 5 and the mechanical fixing device 8 on the other hand , is equal to at least 60 mm. Indeed, the surface of the second section S2 is adapted as a function of mechanical forces induced by the conductor 5 on the second protrusion 6. Consequently, this minimum distance D1 which is at least 60 mm is adjustable: the more the surface of the second section S2 is large, the more the minimum distance D1 can be increased, which makes it possible to bring the mechanical fastening device 8 as close as possible to the place desired for maintaining and guiding the conductor 5, without any consequence on the electrical connection device 4.

These efforts are for example of vibratory origin in the field of a vehicle, or of human origin during operations of manipulation or assembly of the driver or of components surrounding the driver.

This electrical connection device is particularly suitable for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, comprising a metal part 14 and the assembly element 15. The electrical lug is then assembled on the metal part 14 by the assembly element 15 For example, this element 15 is a single screw passing through Lceillet, or a single rivet or a stud or a clip. The example in FIG. 1 shows that the assembly element 15 is unique. However, as a variant, not shown, this assembly element 15 is supplemented by other assembly elements.

The metal part 14 and the eyelet 1 have a complementary shape 16, 17. Figure 1 illustrates this complementary shape 16, 17 by a first flat 17 on the periphery of the eyelet 1, and a second flat 16 opposite on the metal part 14.

In alternative embodiments, this complementary shape is achieved by a pin in a hole, or a protuberance in a notch or a centering pin in a bore.

The metal part 14 of the vehicle is for example a chassis of the vehicle, or even a bodywork element, a gearbox casing, a crankcase of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, a differential bridge, an equipment or organ itself fixed to the chassis or bodywork element.

Claims (10)

claims 1. Electrical terminal comprising an eyelet (1) and a connector, said eyelet (1) comprising a first protrusion (2) of which a first free end (3) is provided with an electrical connection device (4), characterized in that that said eyelet (1) comprises a second protrusion (6) distinct from said first protrusion (2), said second protrusion (6) comprising a second free end (7) provided with a mechanical fixing device (8), said device of electrical connection (4) and said mechanical fixing device (8) constituting said connector. 2. An electrical terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that a first section (S1) of said first protuberance (2) is smaller than a second section (S2) of said second protuberance (6), said first and second sections (S1, S2) lying at the junction of said first and second protuberances (2, 6) with said eyelet (1). 3. Electrical terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrical connection device (4) comprises at least one tongue (9, 10) of crimping. 4. Electrical lug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mechanical fixing device (8) is a clamp (11). 5. An electrical terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said eyelet (1) and said first and second protrusions (2, 6) are formed in a single sheet. 6. An electrical terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second protuberance (6) comprises a stiffening rib (13). 7. Electrical connection device comprising a conductor (5), characterized in that it comprises an electrical terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, said conductor (5) having one end electrically connected to said electrical terminal by said device electrical connection (4), and said conductor (5) being further fixed by said mechanical fixing device (8). 8. Electrical connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the minimum distance (D1) separating a first contact surface between said conductor (5) and said electrical connection device (4) on the one hand, and a second contact surface between said conductor (5) and said mechanical fixing device (8) 5 on the other hand, is at least 60 mm. 9. Vehicle comprising a metal part (14) and an assembly element (15), characterized in that it comprises an electrical connection device according to claim 7 or 8, said electrical terminal being assembled on said metal part (14 ) by said assembly element (15) passing through said eyelet. 10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said metal part (14) and said eyelet (1) have a complementary shape (16, 17).