EP1655806B1 - Bus bar connector, casing comrising such a bus bar connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector has a core made of conductive material section and forming U-cages (C1, C2), an auxiliary block (316) and a base plate (31). Traversing orifices provided in the blocks delimit secondary cable conductor reception housings (103, 104), and a passage (316g) immobilizes a rotation of a female screw forming a temporary branching receptacle on the connector. The base plate connects the U-cages and the auxiliary blocks. An independent claim is also included for a connection box comprising a false cut type cut-off grid including a set of connectors.

Description

The invention relates to a connector for a false cut gate, and to a false cut gate comprising at least one such connector. The invention also relates to a connection box for conducting cables equipped with such a false cut gate.

In the field of electric power distribution, it is known to provide a false cut-off grid in which relatively large section upstream cable conductors are connected to connectors from which conductors of downstream cable with a large cross section are also distributed, while conductors of smaller section are also connected to each of these connectors, which allows a branch connection to power a facility or part of installation. This type of connection allows, from a main line constituted by the conductors of large section, to feed one or more loads from branch conductors of smaller section.

Known false cutoff grids, for example US-A-4,640,571 , occupy a relatively large volume due to the juxtaposition of the parts of these grids for respectively receiving the ends of the upstream conductors and the ends of the downstream conductors of the main line, and the ends of the branch conductors. In addition, to avoid entanglement of the cables, it is usual to make these false cutoff grids with a relatively large width, to the point that it is in practice difficult to integrate these false cut grids in boxes as conventionally used to contain electrical, telephone or mechanical equipment such as meters, connection terminals, fuses or emerging network outlets.

These difficulties are all the more important that it is generally necessary to provide on such a grid, a departure allowing a temporary connection, this to allow maintenance interventions of an electrical network incorporating such a grid.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a false-cut gate connector which makes it possible to fulfill all the functions of the false-cut gates of the state of the art while presenting compactness. such that it can be integrated in a box or standard housing, without the drivers being entangled or intermingled.

1. i) deux cages en U aptes à recevoir chacune, au niveau des extrémités des branches du U qu'elles forment, une plaque de fermeture équipée d'une vis de serrage, alors qu'une cage en U et une plaque délimitent ensemble l'un desdits logements principaux
2. ii) un bloc auxiliaire dans lequel sont ménagés deux orifices traversant, délimitant chacun un logement secondaire, ainsi qu'un passage apte à recevoir et immobiliser en rotation un écrou destiné à former une prise femelle de branchement provisoire sur le connecteur, un orifice d'accès à l'écrou étant ménagé dans une paroi externe de ce bloc auxiliaire, et
3. iii) une semelle reliant ces cages et ces blocs auxiliaires.

With this in mind, the invention relates to a connector for a false power grid cut-off grid, this connector comprising an electrically conductive core, defining two main housings each intended for receiving, blocking and connecting a cable conductor end. large section and at least one secondary housing for receiving, blocking and connecting a small section cable conductor end. The core is made of a profile section of conductive material. This connector is characterized in that its soul forms:

1. i) two U-shaped cages each adapted to receive, at the ends of the branches of the U which they form, a closure plate equipped with a clamping screw, whereas a U-shaped cage and a plate delimit together the one of the said main dwellings
2. ii) an auxiliary block in which are formed two through holes, each delimiting a secondary housing, and a passage adapted to receive and immobilize in rotation a nut for forming a temporary branch socket on the connector, a nut access hole being provided in an outer wall of said auxiliary block, and
3. iii) a soleplate connecting these cages and these auxiliary blocks.

For the purposes of the invention, the notion of high section or small section of the cable conductors is a relative concept, a conductor of large section having a larger section than a conductor of small section. For example, a conductor of large section may have a section between 50 and 150 mm ² , while a small section conductor has a section between 10 and 35 mm ² . The fact that the soul of the connector is made by a profile section can significantly reduce its cost compared to the equipment of the state of the art to the extent that the manufacture of a profile can be automated, and than cutting it with a high production rate. The auxiliary block serves to perform a dual function, namely that of a departure for bypass conductors and the constitution of a temporary connection socket with the nut introduced and immobilized in the passage. The soleplate connecting the cages and the auxiliary block allows a spatial distribution of receiving housing ends of conductive cables which limits the risk of entanglement of these cables, which facilitates the work of an installer.

• Le passage de réception de l'écrou s'étend sur une longueur inférieure à la longueur du tronçon de profilé prise parallèlement à la longueur des orifices traversants.
• Le bloc auxiliaire comprend une nervure intermédiaire distante de la paroi externe et dans laquelle sont ménagés deux taraudages de réception de vis de serrage des extrémités de conducteur en place dans les logements secondaires. On peut prévoir que, au moins en regard de ces taraudages, le bloc auxiliaire est usiné pour ménager un accès à ces taraudages selon une direction perpendiculaire à la nervure intermédiaire. La paroi externe dans laquelle est ménagé l'orifice d'accès à l'écrou et la nervure intermédiaire précitée sont avantageusement parallèles.
• Il est prévu une enveloppe électriquement isolante rapportée sur l'âme du connecteur et qui comprend trois parties fixes respectivement destinées à recouvrir partiellement les cages et le bloc auxiliaire, un volet étant articulé sur chaque partie fixe, monobloc avec celle-ci et apte à recouvrir les parties des cages et du bloc non couvertes par les parties fixes de l'enveloppe. Ces volets comprennent avantageusement chacun au moins une série de languettes déformables aptes à s'écarter les unes des autres pour venir en appui sur un ou des câbles conducteurs dont les extrémités respectives sont en place dans l'un des logements. Le volet articulé sur la partie fixe de l'enveloppe qui recouvre le bloc auxiliaire est, de façon préférentielle, apte à recouvrir simultanément les vis de serrage des extrémités de câble en place dans les logements secondaires ainsi que l'orifice d'accès à l'écrou de branchement provisoire.

According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects, such a connector may incorporate one or more of the following features taken in any technically permissible combination:

• The receiving passage of the nut extends over a length less than the length of the profile section taken parallel to the length of the through-holes.
• The auxiliary unit comprises an intermediate rib remote from the outer wall and in which there are two threads for receiving screw clamping conductor ends in place in the secondary housing. It can be provided that, at least with respect to these threads, the auxiliary block is machined to provide access to these threads in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate rib. The outer wall in which is formed the access orifice to the nut and the aforementioned intermediate rib are advantageously parallel.
• There is provided an electrically insulating envelope attached to the core of the connector and which comprises three fixed parts respectively intended to partially cover the cages and the auxiliary block, a flap being hinged to each fixed part, integral with it and able to cover the parts of the cages and the block not covered by the fixed parts of the envelope. These flaps each advantageously comprise at least one series of deformable tongues adapted to move apart from each other to bear on one or more conductor cables whose respective ends are in place in one of the housing. The flap hinged to the fixed part of the envelope covering the auxiliary block is preferably able to simultaneously cover the clamping screws of the cable ends in place in the secondary housings as well as the access port to the housing. temporary connection nut.

The invention also relates to a false cut-off grid for an electrical network which comprises, for at least one phase or for the neutral, a connector as mentioned above.

The invention also relates to a connection box for a conductor cable which comprises a protective enclosure equipped with a false cut grid as mentioned above.

The false cutoff grid advantageously comprises a connector as described above for each phase and for the neutral, the cages and the auxiliary block of such a connector being arranged opposite a space for the passage of conductive cables formed between the cages or between a cage and the auxiliary block of another connector and facing another space for conductive cable passage formed between the other conductor and one side of the enclosure.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un coffret de raccordement conforme à l'invention équipé d'une grille de fausse coupure conforme à l'invention, avant mise en place des câbles ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de face du coffret de la figure 1 sur laquelle les câbles conducteurs en place sont représentés en traits mixtes par leurs traits d'axes respectifs ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe partielle de principe selon la ligne III-III à la figure 2, les câbles étant omis ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un connecteur utilisé dans la grille de fausse coupure du coffret des figures 1 à 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4, alors que le connecteur est dans une autre configuration et
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée de l'âme conductrice et de certains éléments accessoires du connecteur des figures 4 et 5.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a connection box incorporating a false cut gate according to the invention. whose connectors are also in accordance with the invention, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection box according to the invention equipped with a false cut-off grid according to the invention, before placing the cables;
• the figure 2 is a front view of the cabinet of the figure 1 on which the conductive cables in place are shown in phantom lines by their respective axes;
• the figure 3 is a partial sectional view along the line III-III to the figure 2 , the cables being omitted;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a connector used in the false break grid of the box of Figures 1 to 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 , while the connector is in a different configuration and
• the figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the conductive core and some accessory elements of the connector of the figures 4 and 5 .

The box 1 represented in figures 1 and 2 comprises an insulating envelope of which only the tank 2 is represented Figures 1 to 3 , a closure panel or a door being intended to be attached to the tank 2 to close the opening O formed on its front face to access its interior volume. A false cut-off grid G is mounted in the tank 2 and comprises four connectors 3 mounted on a stepped base 4 itself attached to racks 24 fixed on the sides 22 and 23 of the tank and extending parallel to and at a distance of the wall 21. Screws 25 are used to immobilize the base 4 on the racks 24. Other mounting means of the base 4 in the tank 2 are conceivable.

The base 4 comprises two flat surfaces 41 and 42 on each of which are mounted two connectors 3, these surfaces extending at different distances from the wall 21 and being connected by a transition surface 43. The surfaces 41 and 42 are generally parallel at the wall 21. They may nevertheless be inclined relative to this wall.

The four connectors 3 equipping the false cut gate G thus created are identical.

Each connector 3 comprises a core 31 made by a section of metal profile whose L ₃₁ is noted the length taken parallel to the largest dimension of the profile before cutting. Note also ₃₁ the width of the section 31 which has, in practice, a value greater than that of the length L ₃₁ .

The section 31 comprises a sole 311 from which extend four branches 312a, 312b, 312c and 312d each provided with a hollow recess 313, the housing 313 branches 312a and 312b facing each other, while the housing 313 branches 312c and 312d are also facing. The housings 313 of the tabs 312a and 312b make it possible to receive lateral projections 314a of a closure plate 314 provided with a central tapping 314b for receiving a clamping screw 315. A pad 315a is mounted by boring at the end. each screw 315, with the interposition of a washer 315b. This pad 315a makes it possible to distribute the clamping force exerted by the screw 315 and to ensure good electrical contact. A second closure plate 314 is mounted at the housings 313 of the branches 312c and 312d, it also carries a screw 315 and elements 315a and 315b.

Thus, the branches 312a and 312b define a first cage C ₁ , generally U-shaped, which can be closed by the plate 314 visible on the left of the figures 6 and 7, while the branches 312c and 312d define a second cage C ₂ , generally U-shaped, to be closed by the second plate 314.

The sole 311 is also monobloc with an auxiliary block 316 in which are formed two through holes 316a and 316b, in the lower part of the block 316, that is to say in its part closest to the sole 311. A rib intermediate 316c extends in the block 316 parallel to the sole 311. The side walls 316d and 316e of the block 316 are connected by an upper wall 316f opposite the sole 311. The wall 316f is remote from the rib 316c . A through passage 316g is defined in block 316 between members 316c, 316d, 316e and 316f. The walls 316d and 316e are each provided with a longitudinal rib 316d ₁ , respectively 316e ₁ .

Immediately after its cutting, the core 31 has the same geometry along its entire length, which is represented by the configuration in phantom at the figure 6 . It is then possible to machine part of the material constituting the block 316 by machining to remove the part shown in phantom at the figure 6 . Two threads 316h and 316j can then be formed in the rib 316c, each of these threads opening respectively in one of the orifices 316a or 316b. A hole 316k is also provided in the remaining portion of the wall 316f, substantially in the center thereof. Another hole 316m is formed in the rib 316c in alignment with the hole 316k. The removal of material produced by machining on the block 316 makes it possible to access the rib 316c in the direction of the arrow F _o at the figure 6 , that is to say, perpendicular to this rib.

Screws 317 are reported in the threads 316h and 316j, while a nut 318 is inserted in the passage 316g above the ribs 316d ₁ and 316e ₁ , as represented by the arrow F ₁ at the figure 6 . It will be noted that the width ₃₁₈ of the nut 318, i.e. the distance between two parallel faces thereof, is slightly smaller than the width ₃₁₆ of the passage 316g, so that once introduced into the housing 105 formed by this passage, the nut 318 can no longer rotate about the central axis X ₃₁₈ of its thread. The width l ₃₁₈ is greater than the distance between the ribs 316d ₁ and 316e ₁ , so that these ribs hold the nut 318 near the wall 316f.

As the rib 316c is accessible in the direction of the arrow F _o , the establishment and operation of the screws 317 is easy.

The passage 316g has a length L ₃₁₆ less than the length L ₃₁ , which corresponds to the result of the aforementioned machining operation.

When the nut 318 is in place in the passage 316g, its central thread is generally aligned with the hole 316k, so that it is possible to screw through this hole, a screw or a threaded rod to make a temporary connection to the connector 3, as shown in phantom at the figure 5 only where a temporary connector male connector 200 is in place on the connector 3. The retention in rotation of the nut 318 in the housing 105 allows the easy screwing of the connector 200. The hole 316m allows the threaded rod of the connector 200 to cross the passage 316g through and through.

At the cages C ₁ and C ₂ , the sole 311 is provided with teeth 311a of immobilization in rotation and improvement of the contact of the stripped end of a conductor of large section introduced into each of these cages. At these openings 316a and 316b, the sole 311 is provided with teeth 311b perforation of the insulating sheath covering the end of a conductor of small section introduced into one or other housing formed by these orifices.

Referring to figures 2 and 5 it is understood that the stripped end of an upstream conductor of large section can be introduced into a housing 101 delimited by the cage C ₁ of each of the connectors 3, while the stripped end of a downstream conductor of large section can introduced into a housing 102 delimited by each of the cages C ₂ .

Of course, alternatively, the upstream conductor can be introduced into the cage C ₂ , while the downstream conductor is introduced into the cage C ₁ .

It is assumed in the following that the figure 5 represents the connector 3 used for the connection of the neutral conductors. An upstream neutral conductor N ₁ can be introduced into the housing 101 and its tight end through the corresponding screw 315 and pad 315a. In the same way, a downstream neutral conductor N ₂ can be introduced and immobilized in the housing 102 by the corresponding elements 315 and 315a. Two branch cables of small section n ₁ and n ₂ can be introduced into housings 103 and 104 respectively formed by openings 316a and 316b to each supply a shunt load from the main circuit consisting of cables N ₁ and N ₂ . Of course, if only one load is to be fed, a single cable n ₁ or n ₂ is introduced into only one of the housings 103 and 104. The ends of the cables n ₁ and n ₂ are immobilized in the housing 103 and 104 through the screws 317.

The situation is similar with regard to the connection of the phase cables thanks to the connectors 3 provided opposite the markings L1, L2 and L3 on the base 4, these markings facilitating the identification of the phases for the installer as well as the marking N for the neutral.

Each connector 3 is equipped with an insulating envelope 32 which is intended to protect its core 31 from accidental contact with neighboring equipment.

The envelope 32 comprises three fixed parts 321, 322 and 323 intended to cover respectively the cage C ₁ , the cage C ₂ and the block 316. These fixed parts are integral with each other and with a portion 324 which covers the sole 311 between the cages C ₁ and C ₂ and between the cage C ₂ and the block 316.

When in place, the portion 323 of the envelope 32 closes the passage 316g on the side of the section 31 which is not visible to the figures 6 and 7. On the side of the threads 316h and 316j, the ribs 316d ₁ and 316e ₁ are plastically deformed in the direction of the wall 316f, to the point that they constitute stops to a movement of the nut 318 towards the screws 317. This aspect of the invention, which is not shown in figure 5 , allows immobilization of the nut 318 which does not risk slide down when connector 3 is in the configuration of Figures 1 to 3 . Thus, the elements 323, 316d ₁ and 316e ₁ constitute retaining means of the nut 318 in its housing formed by the passage 316g.

The portion 321 is integral with a flap 325 formed of two panels 325a and 325b connected by a hinge 325c formed by thinning material. Another hinge 325d, of the same type, connects the panel 325 to the part 321. The panel 325a forms a cap 325e covering the head of the screw 315 of the cage C ₁ , while the panel 325b is provided with several tabs 325f extending from side posts 325g towards a medial area 325h of the panel 325b. These tongues 325 are separated by interstices and connected to the uprights 325g by flexible hinges, which allows them to deviate from each other and the area 325h when a conductor cable of the cable type N ₁ is in place in the cage C ₁ , the tabs then bearing on the sheath of this cable.

The shutter 325 is also provided with a handle 325j facilitating its maneuver to move from its configuration of the figure 5 to that of the figure 4 and reciprocally. Hooks 321a are provided on the part 321 and allow to retain the flap 325 in the configuration of the figure 4 .

The fixed parts 322 and 323 are respectively connected to flaps 326 and 327 of the same type as the flap 325, the fact that the flap 327 is devoid of cap since the heads of the screws 317 do not protrude beyond the wall 316f once tight.

Parts 321 and 322 and the distance between the parts 322 and 323 of the envelope 32. In practice, the distances and we note the distance may be identical. The fact that these distances are non-zero allows to define, between the cages C ₁ and C ₂ or between the cage C ₂ and the block 316, a space E of conductive cable passages intended to be connected to another connector than that shown in FIGS. figures 5 and 6 . Thus, as represented in figure 2 , the cables intended to be connected to the cages of the phase connectors pass into the spaces E defined by the neutral connector and in a space E 'defined between this connector and the right side 22 of the tank 2. In addition, the connectors 3 are offset relative to each other, the neutral (N) and second phase (L ₂ ) connectors being arranged in the vicinity of the left side 23 of the envelope 2 at the figure 2 , while the connectors of the first and third phases (L ₁ , L ₃ ) are arranged in the vicinity of the right side 22 in this figure. This allows to substantially align the cages C ₁ and C ₂ of a top connector with passing spaces E of a lower connector or with the space E 'left free between the lower connector and one side of the envelope 2 This arrangement facilitates the identification and placement of the conductive cables in the box 1 and prevents their entanglement.

Taking into account the fact that the surface 41 is further away from the wall 21 than the surface 42, the conductors connected to the two rows of connectors L ₂ and L ₃ closest to the top 26 of the tank 2 do not necessarily have to pass in the spaces E and E 'defined at the two rows of lower connectors N and L ₁ .

Claims (11)

1. Bus bar connector for the casing of an electrical network, said connector comprising an electrically conductive core, defining two principal housings, each intended to receive an end of the cable conductor with a large cross section, on locking and connecting, as well as at least one secondary housing, intended to receive an end of the cable conductor with a small cross section, on locking and connecting, said core being formed by a piece (31) of a section made of conductive material, characterised in that said core forms:

   - two U shaped cages (C₁, C₂), each able to receive a cover plate (314) fitted with a tightening screw (315) at the end of the U-shaped branches (312a, 312b, 312c, 312d) they form, when one U-shaped cage and one plate together delimit one of said principal housings (101, 102)

   - an auxiliary block (316), in which two holes (316a, 316b) are made going through it, each delimiting a secondary housing (102, 104), as well as a passage (316g) able to receive and immobilise in rotation a nut (318) intended to form a socket outlet for provisional connection on said connector, a hole (316k) for access to said nut being made in an external wall (316f) of said block and

   - a shoe piece (311) connecting said cages and said auxiliary block.
2. Connector according to claim 1, characterised in that said passage (316g) extends over a length (L₃₁₆), which is less than the length (L₃₁) of said piece (31), parallel to the length of said holes (316a, 316b) going through it.
3. Connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that said auxiliary block (316) comprises intermediate ribbing (316c) at a distance from said external wall (316f), in which two threads (316h, 316j) are made to receive a screw (317) for tightening the ends of the conductors (n₁, n₂) in place in said secondary housings (103, 104).
4. Connector according to claim 3, characterised in that at least with reference to said threads (316h, 316j) said auxiliary block (316) is machined to give access to said threads according to a direction (F₀), which is perpendicular to said intermediate ribbing (316c).
5. Connector according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that said external wall (316f) and said intermediate rib (316c) are parallel.
6. Connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises an electrically insulating envelope (32) applied to said core (21) comprising three fixed parts (321, 322, 323) respectively intended to partially cover said cages (C₁, C₂) and said auxiliary block (316), a shutter (325, 326, 327) being articulated on each fixed part, which is in one piece with it, able to cover the parts (314, 315, 316f, 317) of said cages and said block not covered by said fixed parts.
7. Connector according to claim 6, characterised in that said shutters (325, 326, 327) each comprise at least one series of deformable strips (325f) able to come apart from each other to be supported on one or more conductors (N₁, N₂, n₁, n₂), the ends of which are in place in one of said housings (101-104).
8. Connector according to claim 3 and one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the shutter (327) articulated on the fixed part (323) of the envelope, which covers said auxiliary block (316), is able to simultaneously cover the screws (317) for tightening the ends of the conductors (n₁, n₂) in place in said secondary housings (102, 104) and said hole (316k) for access to said nut (138).
9. Casing (G) for an electrical network, characterised in that it comprises a connector (3) according to one of the previous claims for at least one phase (L₁, L₂, L₃) or neutral (N).
10. Connection box for conductor cables comprising a protective enclosure (2) fitted with a casing (G) according to claim 9.
11. Box according to claim 10, characterised in that said casing (G) comprises a connector (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for each phase and neutral, the cages (C₁, C₂) and the auxiliary block (316) of a connector being arranged with reference to a space (E) for the passage of the conductor cables made between the cages (C₁, C₂) of another connector or between a cage (C₂) and the auxiliary block (316) of another connector and with reference to a space (E') for the passage of the conductor cables made between said other connector and one side (22, 23) of said enclosure (2).

Images