Splice terminal and method for making a splice arrangement

A method for manufacturing a splice arrangement, for a plurality of electric lines, wherein each line has a conductor, an insulating sheath, and a cable shoe fixed to one end of the respective conductor of each line, wherein each cable shoe comprises at least one terminal lug including a through hole

• said splice arrangement having
• a connection bolt composed of a shaft and a head which is configured to offer an abutment for the cable shoes;
• a plurality of spring contacts fixed to the shaft for pressing the cable shoes towards the head to establish an electrical connection between the plurality of electric lines,
• wherein the plurality of spring contacts are positioned on the shaft at equal intervals in an axial direction of the shaft and at a predefined distance from the head and adjacent spring contacts, respectively, wherein the predefined distance essentially equals the thickness of a terminal lug mounted on the connection bolt,
• wherein the plurality of spring contacts arranged in angular direction of the shaft of the connection bolt at equal angular distances around the circumference of the shaft,
• wherein each terminal lug has a recess adjacent to the through hole of the terminal lug, wherein the recess is dimensioned to accommodate a spring contact of the plurality of spring contacts without actuating the spring contact
• wherein the arrangement of the plurality of spring contacts in axial and circumferential direction on the shaft of the connection bolt enables an automated manufacturing process for the splice arrangement,
• said method for manufacturing the spice arrangement comprising the steps of:
• holding the connection bolt in a fixture;
• putting a number of the terminal lugs of the lines to be connected onto the connection bolt such that each spring contact presses on the terminal lugs towards the head of the connection bolt to establish an electrical connection between the plurality of electric lines;
• aligning the recess of a currently mounted terminal lug such that the spring contact of the previous terminal lug is not actuated by the currently mounted terminal lug;
• placing a shrinking hood over the connection bolt and the lines on the connection bolt;
• and
• heating the shrinking hood.