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EP0666614A1 - Bimetallic connector - Google Patents

Bimetallic connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0666614A1
EP0666614A1 EP95500008A EP95500008A EP0666614A1 EP 0666614 A1 EP0666614 A1 EP 0666614A1 EP 95500008 A EP95500008 A EP 95500008A EP 95500008 A EP95500008 A EP 95500008A EP 0666614 A1 EP0666614 A1 EP 0666614A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
blade
opposite
intermediate portion
aluminium
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP95500008A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0666614B1 (en
Inventor
Marcel Leopold De Keyser
Jose Talon C/O Framatome Connec. Espana Sa Teres
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical Framatome Connectors International SAS
Publication of EP0666614A1 publication Critical patent/EP0666614A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0666614B1 publication Critical patent/EP0666614B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/62—Connections between conductors of different materials; Connections between or with aluminium or steel-core aluminium conductors
    • H01R4/625—Soldered or welded connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/66—Connections with the terrestrial mass, e.g. earth plate, earth pin

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a bimetallic connector, for electrical and earth connections, comprising an aluminium part and a copper part attached together by a copper-aluminium bimetallic joining system and which extend in opposite directions from the joint, which is located in an intermediate portion adapted for attachment to connector holding means.
  • the aluminium part is provided with a first blade and the copper part is provided with a second blade.
  • a bimetallic connector in which both the copper part and the aluminium part comprise opposite half round end portions.
  • this known connector is held by a clamp applied to the intermediate portion thereof, in such away that the curved surface of each of the end portions is adjacent the vertical surface. It is obvious, therefore, that there is no useful space between the connector and the vertical wall and consequently it is not possible to locate either a nut or the head of a screw.
  • the known connector has to be provided with threaded holes capable of receiving and retaining screws which also pass through the corresponding copper and aluminium bars.
  • a connector of the type described at the beginning which is characterized in that said first blade: (a) occupies a substantially axially centered wide area; (b) has two substantially parallel opposite surfaces forming a thickness smaller than that of the said intermediate portion; and (c) is provided with at least one passage extending between said opposite surfaces.
  • first connector blade of the invention Since the first connector blade of the invention is centered and is thinner than the intermediate section, there is of necessity a free space behind the first blade when the connector is installed and this free space allows either the head of screw or a nut to be fitted, whereby the connection with an aluminium bar may also be made without the need for screw threads, with standardized easily obtainable items, such as screws, nuts and, as required, washers. It should be noted that a connection made with screws, nuts and washers is considered to be one of the most reliable.
  • said second blade is substantially axially offset; it has two substantially flat opposite flats parallel to said opposite surfaces and is provided with at least one hole extending between said opposite flats.
  • said second blade is substantially axially centered, whereby it allows other copper blades in a similar way to the aluminium blades to be used.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the connector of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view on a smaller scale.
  • Figure 3 is a plan view from above, also on a smaller scale.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present connector.
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the latter on a smaller scale.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the second connector, also on a smaller scale.
  • the bimetallic connector comprises a copper part 2 and an aluminium part 4 connected together by friction welding or any other system of forming copper-aluminium bimetallic joints.
  • the joint may be appreciated by the line 6, from which the two parts 2, 4 extend in opposite directions.
  • the joint is located in an intermediate portion 8 which is preferably cylindrical or prismatic, whereby it defines generating lines.
  • the form and thickness of the intermediate portion 8 make it suitable for attachment to holding means, preferably a standardized circular clamp, not shown.
  • the intermediate portion 8 be located between two widened portions 10 which facilitate the fitting and permanent location of the said clamp and that the side surface 12 of each widened portion 10 be substantially rectangular to the generating lines of the intermediate portion.
  • the aluminium part 4 is provided with a first blade 14 for connection to a flat bar (not shown) which is generally made from aluminium, although it may be made from any other material.
  • the first blade 14 has two opposite parallel surfaces 16 with the distance between them being substantially less than the thickness of the intermediate portion and, therefore, less than the diameter of the widened portions 10. Therefore, between one surface 16 and the most outwardly extending portion of the respective widened portion 10 there is a space to be referred to hereinafter.
  • the first blade 14 is substantially axially centered, i.e. the two heights 18 shown in Figure 2 are substantially the same.
  • the blade 14 is also provided with at least one passage 20 extending between both surfaces 16 and is suitable for receiving a screw, pin, bolt or the like.
  • the copper part 2 is provided in turn with a second blade 22 for connection to a flat bar which is generally made from copper, although it may be made from any other material. This bar is not shown either.
  • This second blade is also provided with two opposite substantially plane flats 24 which are substantially parallel to the surfaces 16 of the first blade 14.
  • the second blade 22 is seen to be substantially axially offset, like some already known forged blades. In the embodiment described, it is provided with an orifice 26 extending between said opposite flats and which, like the passage 20, is suitable for receiving a screw, pin, bolt or the like.
  • the configuration of the first blade 14 and the said space formed from each surface 16 allow a nut or the head of screw to be inserted, which greatly facilitates its use.
  • the aluminium blade 4 and the centre portion 8 have a configuration substantially the same as that of the embodiment already described.
  • the copper blade 22 is substantially centered, in a similar way to the aluminium blade 14. Therefore, in this case, the two heights 28 shown in Figure 5 are also substantially the same.
  • the clarity of Figures 4 to 6 and the similarities with the embodiment of the first three Figures make any further description unnecessary.
  • the connector of the invention may also be used as a bimetallic connection between aluminium and copper cables and busbar terminations.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)

Abstract

A bimetallic connector, comprising an aluminium part (4) and a copper part (2) extending in opposite directions from the joint, located in an intermediate portion (8) adapted for attachment to connector installation means; the aluminium part (4) is provided with a first blade (14) which (a) occupies a substantially axially centered wide area; (b) has two parallel opposite surfaces (16) forming a thickness smaller than that of the intermediate portion (8); and (c) is provided with at least one passage (20) extending between said opposite surfaces (16); in turn, the copper part (2) is provided with a second blade (22) having at least one orifice (26).

Description

  • The invention relates to a bimetallic connector, for electrical and earth connections, comprising an aluminium part and a copper part attached together by a copper-aluminium bimetallic joining system and which extend in opposite directions from the joint, which is located in an intermediate portion adapted for attachment to connector holding means. The aluminium part is provided with a first blade and the copper part is provided with a second blade.
  • Particularly for earth connections and more particularly in connections of this type for lightning protection, a bimetallic connector is known in which both the copper part and the aluminium part comprise opposite half round end portions. At the place of use, which usually has a vertical surface such as a wall, this known connector is held by a clamp applied to the intermediate portion thereof, in such away that the curved surface of each of the end portions is adjacent the vertical surface. It is obvious, therefore, that there is no useful space between the connector and the vertical wall and consequently it is not possible to locate either a nut or the head of a screw. This means that the known connector has to be provided with threaded holes capable of receiving and retaining screws which also pass through the corresponding copper and aluminium bars.
  • It is an object of the invention to overcome the drawbacks of these known connectors. This object is achieved by a connector of the type described at the beginning which is characterized in that said first blade: (a) occupies a substantially axially centered wide area; (b) has two substantially parallel opposite surfaces forming a thickness smaller than that of the said intermediate portion; and (c) is provided with at least one passage extending between said opposite surfaces.
  • Since the first connector blade of the invention is centered and is thinner than the intermediate section, there is of necessity a free space behind the first blade when the connector is installed and this free space allows either the head of screw or a nut to be fitted, whereby the connection with an aluminium bar may also be made without the need for screw threads, with standardized easily obtainable items, such as screws, nuts and, as required, washers. It should be noted that a connection made with screws, nuts and washers is considered to be one of the most reliable.
  • According to a preferred feature of the invention, said second blade is substantially axially offset; it has two substantially flat opposite flats parallel to said opposite surfaces and is provided with at least one hole extending between said opposite flats.
  • Owing to this feature, it is possible to use for the connector of the invention known easily obtainable forged copper blades.
  • According to an alternative feature to the foregoing one, said second blade is substantially axially centered, whereby it allows other copper blades in a similar way to the aluminium blades to be used.
  • Further advantages and features of the invention will be appreciated from the following description, in which there is given a preferred embodiment of the invention without any limiting nature, with reference to the attached drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the connector of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view on a smaller scale.
  • Figure 3 is a plan view from above, also on a smaller scale.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present connector.
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the latter on a smaller scale.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the second connector, also on a smaller scale.
  • The bimetallic connector comprises a copper part 2 and an aluminium part 4 connected together by friction welding or any other system of forming copper-aluminium bimetallic joints. The joint may be appreciated by the line 6, from which the two parts 2, 4 extend in opposite directions. The joint is located in an intermediate portion 8 which is preferably cylindrical or prismatic, whereby it defines generating lines. The form and thickness of the intermediate portion 8 make it suitable for attachment to holding means, preferably a standardized circular clamp, not shown.
  • It is also preferred that the intermediate portion 8 be located between two widened portions 10 which facilitate the fitting and permanent location of the said clamp and that the side surface 12 of each widened portion 10 be substantially rectangular to the generating lines of the intermediate portion.
  • The aluminium part 4 is provided with a first blade 14 for connection to a flat bar (not shown) which is generally made from aluminium, although it may be made from any other material. The first blade 14 has two opposite parallel surfaces 16 with the distance between them being substantially less than the thickness of the intermediate portion and, therefore, less than the diameter of the widened portions 10. Therefore, between one surface 16 and the most outwardly extending portion of the respective widened portion 10 there is a space to be referred to hereinafter. The first blade 14 is substantially axially centered, i.e. the two heights 18 shown in Figure 2 are substantially the same. The blade 14 is also provided with at least one passage 20 extending between both surfaces 16 and is suitable for receiving a screw, pin, bolt or the like.
  • The copper part 2 is provided in turn with a second blade 22 for connection to a flat bar which is generally made from copper, although it may be made from any other material. This bar is not shown either. This second blade is also provided with two opposite substantially plane flats 24 which are substantially parallel to the surfaces 16 of the first blade 14. In Figures 1 to 3 the second blade 22 is seen to be substantially axially offset, like some already known forged blades. In the embodiment described, it is provided with an orifice 26 extending between said opposite flats and which, like the passage 20, is suitable for receiving a screw, pin, bolt or the like.
  • When the connector is installed with a clamp against a vertical surface, such as that of a wall or a post, the configuration of the first blade 14 and the said space formed from each surface 16 allow a nut or the head of screw to be inserted, which greatly facilitates its use.
  • In the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, the aluminium blade 4 and the centre portion 8 have a configuration substantially the same as that of the embodiment already described. On the contrary, the copper blade 22 is substantially centered, in a similar way to the aluminium blade 14. Therefore, in this case, the two heights 28 shown in Figure 5 are also substantially the same. The clarity of Figures 4 to 6 and the similarities with the embodiment of the first three Figures make any further description unnecessary.
  • It is pointed out that the connector of the invention may also be used as a bimetallic connection between aluminium and copper cables and busbar terminations.

Claims (6)

1.- A bimetallic connector, for electrical and earth connections, comprising an aluminium part (4) and a copper part (2) attached together by a copper-aluminium bimetallic joining system and which extend in opposite directions from the joint, which is located in an intermediate portion (8) adapted for attachment to connector holding means; the aluminium part (4) being provided with a first blade (14) and the copper part (2) being provided with a second blade (22), characterized in that said first blade (14): (a) occupies a substantially axially centered wide area; (b) has two substantially parallel opposite surfaces (16) forming a thickness smaller than that of the said intermediate portion (8); and (c) is provided with at least one passage (20) extending between said opposite surfaces (16).
2.- The connector of claim 1, characterized in that said joining system is by friction welding.
3.- The connector of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second blade (22) is axially offset, is provided with two opposite substantially plane flats (24) parallel to said opposite surfaces (16) and is provided with at least one orifice (26) extending between said opposite flats (24).
4.- The connector of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second blade (22) is substantially axially centered, is provided with two opposite substantially plane flats (24) parallel to said opposite surfaces (16) and is provided with at least one orifice (26) extending between said opposite flats (24).
5.- The connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said intermediate portion (8) is substantially cylindrical or prismatic and is located between two widened portions (10) of the connector.
6.- The connector of claim 5, characterized in that the side surface (12) of each of said widened portions (10), adjacent the intermediate portion (8), defines a plane substantially rectangular to the generating lines of the intermediate portion (8).
EP95500008A 1994-02-07 1995-01-30 Bimetallic connector Expired - Lifetime EP0666614B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES09400210A ES2085827B1 (en) 1994-02-07 1994-02-07 BIMETALLIC CONNECTOR.
ES9400210 1994-02-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0666614A1 true EP0666614A1 (en) 1995-08-09
EP0666614B1 EP0666614B1 (en) 1998-08-26

Family

ID=8285119

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95500008A Expired - Lifetime EP0666614B1 (en) 1994-02-07 1995-01-30 Bimetallic connector

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0666614B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1050704C (en)
DE (1) DE69504216T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2085827B1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19941429A1 (en) * 1999-08-30 2001-02-08 Sefag Ag Malters Head fitting for cable pothead at transition between solid-insulated HV cable and HV overhead line has lid element formed out of aluminum with fastening element and lid element connected especially by mechanical connection.
FR2925773A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-26 Valeo Systemes De Liaison Sa Battery and electrical conductor assembly for use in motor vehicle, has rod and flange passing through partition, where rod and flange are perpendicular to fixed bar and fixed to rigid bar by ultrasonic or friction welding
WO2010031858A2 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-03-25 Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Ag & Co Kg Connecting bar for accumulator cells and use thereof
CN103825111A (en) * 2014-03-12 2014-05-28 兴盛电器股份有限公司 Vertical connecting structure of capacitance compensation contactor
WO2016023653A1 (en) * 2014-08-13 2016-02-18 Auto-Kabel Management Gmbh Electrical connection element, method for producing an electrical connection element, and use of an electrical connection element
US9673479B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2017-06-06 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Energy accumulator module

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006106971A1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2006-10-12 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Conductor and wire harness
DE102006062850B4 (en) * 2006-07-07 2013-03-28 Auto-Kabel Managementgesellschaft Mbh Electrical contact element
CN102136638B (en) * 2011-01-19 2012-11-21 安徽省电力公司合肥供电公司 Electrical joint
CN110492265A (en) * 2019-08-23 2019-11-22 上海宝冶市政工程有限公司 A kind of earthing clamp
DE102022109502B4 (en) 2022-04-20 2023-11-09 Auto-Kabel Management Gmbh Bimetallic charging cable connector, method for producing a charging cable connector, charging socket with a charging cable connector and system with a charging cable connector

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE625428C (en) * 1934-11-15 1936-02-11 Wilhelm Hofmann Fa J Clamp for connecting electrical conductors made of different metals
FR1289476A (en) * 1960-12-28 1962-04-06 Materiel Electr Soc Ind De Heterogeneous metal objects for electrical connections and process for shaping them
DE2539338A1 (en) * 1974-09-06 1976-04-01 Square D Co COLD FORMING CABLE LUG FOR ELECTRIC CABLES
US4334122A (en) * 1980-06-25 1982-06-08 General Electric Company Bimetallic electrical connector and method for making such connector
DE3539622A1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1987-05-14 Felten & Guilleaume Energie Connector for the transition between a copper conductor and an aluminium conductor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE625428C (en) * 1934-11-15 1936-02-11 Wilhelm Hofmann Fa J Clamp for connecting electrical conductors made of different metals
FR1289476A (en) * 1960-12-28 1962-04-06 Materiel Electr Soc Ind De Heterogeneous metal objects for electrical connections and process for shaping them
DE2539338A1 (en) * 1974-09-06 1976-04-01 Square D Co COLD FORMING CABLE LUG FOR ELECTRIC CABLES
US4334122A (en) * 1980-06-25 1982-06-08 General Electric Company Bimetallic electrical connector and method for making such connector
DE3539622A1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1987-05-14 Felten & Guilleaume Energie Connector for the transition between a copper conductor and an aluminium conductor

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19941429A1 (en) * 1999-08-30 2001-02-08 Sefag Ag Malters Head fitting for cable pothead at transition between solid-insulated HV cable and HV overhead line has lid element formed out of aluminum with fastening element and lid element connected especially by mechanical connection.
FR2925773A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-26 Valeo Systemes De Liaison Sa Battery and electrical conductor assembly for use in motor vehicle, has rod and flange passing through partition, where rod and flange are perpendicular to fixed bar and fixed to rigid bar by ultrasonic or friction welding
WO2009098412A2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-08-13 Leoni Wiring Systems France Assembly including a battery and a conductor connected by a stud, in particular a stud extending through a wall
WO2009098412A3 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-10-08 Leoni Wiring Systems France Assembly including a battery and a conductor connected by a stud, in particular a stud extending through a wall
WO2010031858A2 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-03-25 Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Ag & Co Kg Connecting bar for accumulator cells and use thereof
WO2010031858A3 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-12-16 Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Ag & Co Kg Connecting bar for accumulator cells and use thereof
US9673479B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2017-06-06 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Energy accumulator module
CN103825111A (en) * 2014-03-12 2014-05-28 兴盛电器股份有限公司 Vertical connecting structure of capacitance compensation contactor
CN103825111B (en) * 2014-03-12 2016-03-16 兴盛电器股份有限公司 The upper and lower syndeton of capacitance compensation contactor
WO2016023653A1 (en) * 2014-08-13 2016-02-18 Auto-Kabel Management Gmbh Electrical connection element, method for producing an electrical connection element, and use of an electrical connection element
US10283888B2 (en) 2014-08-13 2019-05-07 Auto-Kabel Management Gmbh Electrical connection element, process to manufacture an electrical connection element and use of an electrical connection element

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69504216T2 (en) 1999-02-25
CN1113039A (en) 1995-12-06
ES2085827A2 (en) 1996-06-01
EP0666614B1 (en) 1998-08-26
ES2085827B1 (en) 1998-03-01
DE69504216D1 (en) 1998-10-01
CN1050704C (en) 2000-03-22
ES2085827R (en) 1997-07-01

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