Patent Publication Number: US-10763602-B2

Title: Terminal block, particularly for the electrical connection of printed circuit boards

Description:
The present invention relates to a terminal block, particularly a terminal block for the electrical connection of printed circuits or PCBs. 
     Terminal blocks are known which allow to connect electrically printed circuit boards, also known as PCB, an acronym of Printed Circuit Board, to electrical cables so as to supply power to the devices that are present on the circuit. 
     A first type of known terminal block is provided as a body on which a button is added the actuation of which allows the insertion or extraction of an electrical cable. Said button is therefore a component that is external to the terminal block and is often bulky, especially in relation to the context in which the terminal block is used. Moreover, since the button is a separate component with respect to the terminal block, it may accidentally detach from it and be lost. 
     A further drawback caused by the use of an additional button is due to the need to use an auxiliary device, for example a screwdriver, in order to be able to actuate said button, thus making the wiring operation less convenient. 
     Other known terminal blocks use elastic hinges provided on the body itself of said terminal block. 
     In any case, the pivoted part of the terminal block is extremely fragile and often subject to breakage after a small number of actuations. 
     The aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the background art described above, proposing a terminal block that is capable of being stronger, relatively modest in size and easy to use. 
     Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block such as to simplify the insertion of the electrical cables, preventing their unwanted removal. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that is adapted to allow wiring without resorting to tools that are external to the terminal block, such as for example a screwdriver. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that has a simple structure, is relatively easy to provide in practice, is safe in use and effective in operation, and has a relatively modest cost. 
     This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a terminal block according to claim  1  and by an assembly according to claim  8 . 
     Advantageously, the terminal block can be used on PCB printed circuit boards. 
     Conveniently, the terminal block is resistant to mechanical stresses. 
    
    
     
       Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows, given by way of nonlimiting example and accompanied by the corresponding figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another exploded perspective view of the terminal block according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the terminal block according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional top view of the terminal block according to the present invention in a first configuration for use; 
         FIG. 5  is a transverse sectional view of the terminal block according to the present invention in the first configuration for use; 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal block according to the present invention in the first configuration for use; 
         FIG. 7  is a transverse sectional view of the terminal block according to the present invention in a second configuration for use; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially sectional top view of the terminal block according to the present invention in the second configuration for use; 
         FIG. 9  is a transverse sectional view of the terminal block according to the present invention in a third configuration for use; 
         FIG. 10  is a partially sectional top view of the terminal block according to the present invention in the third configuration for use. 
     
    
    
     An exemplifying architecture that is the subject-matter of the present invention is summarized in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 , in which the terminal block is designated generally by the reference numeral  10 . 
     The terminal block  10  comprises an enclosure  1  and grip means  2 . 
     The enclosure  1  is made of insulating material, for example plastic, and is adapted to accommodate at least one electrical cable  30 . 
     The enclosure  1  is provided with a plurality of cavities that are shaped to receive an electrical cable  30  each. 
     In the figures, the enclosure  1  has a configuration that comprises two cavities  1   a  and  1   b , which allow the insertion of two corresponding electrical cables  30 , but it should be understood that their number can vary according to the specific requirements. 
     In any case, each one of said cavities is adapted to accommodate an electrical cable  30  and the grip means  2 . 
     The enclosure  1  has an external surface, of an elastically deformable upper portion  3 , on which it is possible to apply, for example by means of a finger, a pressure that is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the terminal block  10 . 
     On the inner side of the enclosure  1  there is, for each cavity  1   a  and  1   b  and therefore for each one of the grip means  2 , a protrusion  1   c  that is configured to abut against the grip means  2 . 
     In particular, the protrusion  1   c  is adapted to transmit mechanically the pressure applied to the outer surface of the enclosure  1  to the grip means  2  and cause their deactivation. 
     In other words, as a function of the presence of a sufficient pressure on the outer surface of the enclosure  1 , the grip means  2  are deactivated, allowing the insertion or extraction of an electrical cable  30  within a cavity of the enclosure  1 . 
     If the pressure is not present or in any case does not have a sufficient value, the grip means  2  are activated and retain, if present, an electrical cable inside the cavity or, if not present, prevent its insertion. 
     The protrusion  1   c  is formed integrally with the enclosure  1 , i.e., is monolithic with the enclosure  1 . 
     Advantageously, since the enclosure  1  is a monolithic body, it is stronger than bodies that have separate parts or parts that are subjected to mechanical stress, such as folds. 
     The grip means  2  are adapted to retain an electrical cable  30  within a cavity of the enclosure  1  and, if actuated by the enclosure  1 , to allow the release of the electrical cable  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the grip means  2  comprise a body that is configured to be arranged in a cavity of the enclosure  1 . The body is provided with a base  2   b  which is adapted to support at least partially an electrical cable  30  and to be interposed between the electrical cable  30  and a printed circuit board  20  (PCB) on which the terminal block  10  can be fixed. 
     In particular, the base  2   b  can be welded to the board  30 . The body of the grip means  2  further comprises two portions  2   a  which are perpendicular to the base  2   b  for fixing to the enclosure  1 . 
     Finally, the body of the grip means  2  comprises an elastic component, which can be provided like the structure of a spring and is adapted to block an electrical cable  30 , allowing its removal only if appropriately actuated by a respective protrusion  1   a.    
     In particular, the elastic component comprises two portions  2   c , which are divaricated from a respective protrusion  1   c  in order to allow access or extraction of the cable  30 . Preferably, these two portions  2   c  are mirror-symmetrical and have a substantially V-shaped configuration. 
     Operation of the terminal block  10  according to the present invention is as follows. 
     First of all, the terminal block  10  is arranged, for example by welding, on a printed circuit board  20 . 
     In this condition, the terminal block  10  is in the first configuration for use, i.e., inactive, shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in which the two portions  2   c  are not divaricated. 
     As a consequence of a pressure applied to the enclosure  1 , as indicated by the arrows in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the two portions  2   c  are divaricated by a respective protrusion  1   c , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     An electrical cable  30  is then inserted. 
     When the pressure stops being applied to the enclosure  1 , the two portions  2   c  close, clamping the inserted cable  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     If the cable  30  has to be removed, it is sufficient to apply again a pressure to the enclosure  1 , causing the divarication of the components  2   c  and therefore the extraction of the cable  30 . 
     It has thus been shown that the method and system described achieve the intended aim and objects. 
     In particular, it has been shown that the terminal block  10  thus conceived allows to overcome the qualitative limitations of the background art by means of an enclosure  1  that has the function of an actuation button and which, by cooperating with the grip means  2 , allows fast and effective wiring. 
     Numerous modifications are clearly evident and can be promptly performed by the person skilled in the art without abandoning the protective scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the system for mechanical coupling between the grip means  2  and the enclosure  1  can be provided in different manners, for example by means of pins or by vertical sliding. 
     Furthermore, the terminal block can be adapted easily so that it is integrated in various connection devices. 
     Therefore, the scope of the protection of the claims must not be limited by the illustrations or preferred embodiments shown in the description by way of examples, but rather the claims must comprise all the characteristics of patentable novelty that reside in the present invention, including all the characteristics that would be treated as equivalents by the person skilled in the art. 
     The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. 102015000085537 (UB2015A009584), from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.