EP4677704A1

EP4677704A1 - Connection device to fix and electically connect a panel to an electrical panel

Info

Publication number: EP4677704A1
Application number: EP24712947.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mauro Zeni
Original assignee: BTicino SpA
Current assignee: BTicino SpA
Priority date: 2023-03-08
Filing date: 2024-02-23
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: IT202300004293A1; WO2024184717A1

Abstract

There is described a connection device (30) to fix and electrically connect a panel (10) to an electrically conductive part (2, 3) of an electrical panel. The connection device comprises: a support body (310) comprising fixing elements (311, 312) to fix the support body (310) to said panel (10), said support body (310) defining a mounting seat (320); at least one electrically conductive locking member (330) comprising an electrically conductive locking portion (340), said locking member (330) being adapted to take a locking configuration, in which said locking portion (340) is adapted to engage said electrically conductive part (2, 3) of the electrical panel to fix the panel (10) to said electrically conductive part (2, 3), and a release configuration, in which said locking portion (340) is adapted to be disengaged from said electrically conductive part (2, 3) so as to allow the panel (10) to be uncoupled from said electrically conductive part (2, 3), wherein said locking member (330) is slidingly mounted in said mounting seat (320) so as to slide along a sliding axis (XI); an electrical contact member (350) made of an electrically conductive material, arranged in said mounting seat (320), said electrical contact member (350) having at least one electrical contact portion (351, 352) arranged to contact said panel (10); an electrically conductive elastic element (360) operatively interposed between said locking member (330) and said electrical contact member (350), said elastic element (360) being arranged to bias said at least one electrical contact portion (351, 352) towards said locking portion (340).

Description

"Connection device to fix and electrically connect a panel to an electrical panel"

★★★

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical panels, and in particular it relates to a device to electrically connect a panel made of an electrically conductive material to an electrical panel. [0002] As is known, a conventional electrical panel is formed by a box-like structure defining an inner compartment for housing electrical apparatuses. Generally, such a box-like structure comprises walls, or wall portions, formed by panels made of sheet metal, for example. Generally, such panels are fixed - often in a removable manner - to a frame for supporting the box-like structure defining the panel. The support frame consists, for example, of a rectangular base, four metal section bar uprights fixed at the lower ends thereof to the base, and an upper covering element fixed to the upper ends of the uprights.

[0003] It is known to mechanically fix, for example by means of quarter-turn connection devices, covering panels to fixing bands provided or associated with the structure of an electrical panel. In particular, such covering panels serve the main function of preventing access to live electrical parts and keeping any faults which can occur in the electrical panel itself confined inside the electrical panel.

[0004] Since the aforesaid covering panels are conventionally made of an electrically conductive material, both for safety reasons and for specific legislative provisions there is a need to ensure a stable electrical connection between such panels and the remaining part of the structure of the electrical panel. Such an electrical connection is conventionally indicated in the field by the term "grounding connection". For this reason, the aforesaid known connection devices are such as to allow for the aforesaid grounding connection of the covering panels.

[0005] A drawback of the above-described connection devices of the prior art is associated with the fact that such devices are not able to ensure an adequate grounding connection over time.

[0006] A further drawback of the above-described known connection devices is associated with the fact that such devices do not allow the bending and deformation of the panel to be prevented or restricted within allowed limitations if a fault occurs in the electrical panel. Indeed, in the case of a short circuit in the electrical panel, gases can be released which, by applying a pressure to the panel, cause the bending or deformation of the panel itself.

[0007] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a connection device to fix and electrically connect a panel to an electrically conductive part of an electrical panel which is capable of overcoming or at least partially reducing the drawbacks described above with reference to the prior art.

[0008] This and other objects are achieved by means of a connection device, as defined in appended claim 1 in the more general form thereof, and in the dependent claims in some particular embodiments.

[0009] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide an assembly as defined in claim 12.

[0010] The invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the front side of a part of electrical panel comprising a panel fixed to a pair of fixing bands of the electrical panel by means of a pair of connection devices according to a currently preferred embodiment; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the rear side of the part of the electrical panel in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view from the front side of a portion of the part of the electrical panel in Figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows an enlarged perspective view from the rear side of a portion of the part of the electrical panel in Figure 1;

- Figure 5 shows a lateral plan view of one of the connection devices in Figure 1;

- Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the connection device in Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows a perspective view from the rear side of the connection device in Figure 5;

- Figure 8 shows a perspective view from the front side of a component of the connection device in Figure 5;

- Figure 9 shows a lateral plan view of a locking member of the connection device in Figure 5 and of two further components of such a connection device which are coupled to the locking member;

- Figure 10 shows a lateral perspective view of the locking member and of the two further components in Figure 9, where a portion of the locking member has been removed;

- Figure 11 shows a perspective view of one of the two further components in Figure 9;

- Figure 12 shows a perspective view of part of the panel in Figure 1.

[0011] In the accompanying Figures, the same or similar elements will be generally indicated by the same reference numerals. However, in some cases, for greater clarity of description, identical or similar elements in the accompanying Figures can also be indicated by different reference numerals.

[0012] With initial reference to Figures 1-4, a part of an electrical panel, which is indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1, is shown. According to an embodiment, in particular, part 1 is a part of an electrical distribution panel or an electrical automation panel. As is known, an electrical panel is a part of an electrical system downstream of an electricity distribution circuit and generally comprises a closed electrical cabinet preferably having one or more doors, depending both on the number and size of the components contained therein. Generally, an electrical distribution panel mainly comprises electrical handling and safety apparatuses, while an electrical automation panel can also comprise, in addition to electrical handling and safety apparatuses, apparatuses of other type, such as command apparatuses, control and signaling apparatuses relays, PLC, inverters, actuations, etc., for example.

[0013] According to an embodiment, part 1 of the electrical panel comprises a panel 10. According to an embodiment, panel 10 is adapted to close at least partially an opening of the electrical panel. In particular, panel 10 serves the main function of preventing access to live electrical components and keeping any faults which can occur in the electrical panel itself confined inside the electrical panel. Panel 10 comprises a first face 101, or front face 101, and an opposite second face 102, or rear face 102. According to an embodiment, panel 10 is made of an electrically conductive material and preferably has at least one face, in the example, at least the front face 101, having a covering. According to an embodiment, in particular, at least face 101 is a painted face. According to an embodiment, panel 10 is made of sheet metal, preferably galvanized sheet metal, and at least the front face 101 of panel 10 has the aforesaid covering, and more specifically it is preferably a painted face.

[0014] Again with reference to Figures 1-2, part 1 of the electrical panel comprises an electrically conductive part to which panel 10 is fixed, preferably in a removable manner. Preferably, the electrically conductive part 2, 3 comprises a pair of electrically conductive fixing portions 2, 3, or fixing bands 2, 3, preferably vertical fixing bands 2, 3, or fixing uprights 2, 3, to which two opposite end portions of panel 10 are adapted to be fixed. Panel 10 can comprise a first through opening 103 of panel which allows visually and manually accessing a control portion 201 of at least one electrical apparatus 20, preferably an electrical circuit breaker 20, such as a modular electrical circuit breaker 20, for example. Preferably, the control portion 201 comprises a control lever 202 of the electrical apparatus 20. Preferably, the first through opening 103 of panel allows accessing a plurality of electrical apparatuses 20 which are preferably arranged side-by-side. More preferably, the first through opening 103 of panel allows a plurality of control portions 201 to be accessed. In the example shown, panel 10 comprises a first through opening 103 of panel which is crossed by a plurality of control portions 201, twenty-four control portions 201 in the non-limiting example, which project from the front face 101 of panel 10.

[0015] According to an embodiment, panel 10 is fixed to the aforesaid part 2, 3 of the electrical panel by means of a pair of connection devices 30. The connection devices 30 are adapted to fix, preferably in a removable manner, panel 10 to the electrically conductive part 2, 3. Moreover, the connection devices 30 are adapted to electrically connect panel 10 to the electrically conductive part 2, 3. In particular, the connection devices 30 allow obtaining a grounding connection of panel 10. The structure of the devices 30 is described in greater detail below.

[0016] With reference to Figures 5-8, each connection device 30 comprises a support body 310, or plate 310, comprising fixing elements 311, 312 to fix the support body 310 to panel 10. The support body 310 defines a mounting seat 320 preferably comprising at least one mounting seat opening 322, 323.

[0017] With reference to Figures 4, 9, 10, each connection device 30 comprises at least one electrically conductive locking member 330. The locking member 330 comprises an electrically conductive locking portion 340. Preferably, the locking portion 340 comprises at least one projecting locking element 343, 344, or locking tooth 343, 344, and more preferably comprises a pair of projecting locking elements 343, 344, or locking teeth

343, 344, which are arranged on opposite sides of the locking portion 340. The locking member 330 is adapted to take a locking configuration (Figures 3-4), in which the locking portion 340, and more preferably, the at least one projecting locking element 343, 344, is adapted to engage the electrically conductive part 2, 3 of the electrical panel to fix panel 10 to the electrically conductive part 2, 3. In the example shown, in the aforesaid locking configuration, the locking portion 340 of one of the two connection devices 30 is adapted to engage one fixing band 2 of the pair of fixing bands 2, 3, and the locking portion 340 of the other connection device 30 is adapted to engage the other fixing band 3 of the pair of fixing bands 2, 3. The locking member 330 is adapted to further take a release configuration (Figures 5, 7), in which the locking portion 340 is adapted to be uncoupled from the electrically conductive part 2, 3 so as to allow the panel 10 to be uncoupled from the electrically conductive part 2, 3.

[0018] With reference to Figures 3-5, the locking member 330 is slidingly mounted in the mounting seat 320 so as to slide along a sliding axis XI. Preferably, the sliding axis XI is an axis orthogonal to the front face 101 of panel 10 when the connection device 30 is fixed to panel 10. According to an embodiment, the locking member 330 is rotatably mounted about the sliding axis XI. According to an embodiment, the locking member 330 is configured to rotate about the sliding axis XI between an angular mutually separate first and second position. Preferably, in particular, the locking member 330 is a quarter-turn locking member.

[0019] With reference to Figures 6, 9-10, according to an embodiment, the locking member 330 comprises a locking pin 370. The locking pin 370 comprises a first end portion 371 of locking pin, or locking pin head 371, defining a first end portion of the locking member 330. According to an embodiment, the aforesaid locking portion 340 defines a second end portion of the locking member 330 which is opposite to said first end portion 371. According to an embodiment, the first end portion 371 of locking pin, or locking pin head 371, is an operating portion adapted to be operated by means of a tool for moving the locking member 330. According to an embodiment, head 371 comprises an operating recess 374 in which the end of a tool can be inserted, such as a screwdriver, for example, to slide the locking member 330 along the sliding axis XI and/or rotate the locking member 330 about such an axis XI. Preferably, the locking pin 370 and the locking portion 340 are made of a zinc alloy, more preferably are made of Zamak. Preferably, the locking pin 370 and the locking portion 340 are made by die-casting .

[0020] With reference to Figures 6, 10, according to an embodiment, the locking pin 370 comprises a second end portion 372 of locking pin opposite to the first end portion 371 of locking pin. In particular, according to an embodiment, the locking portion 340 is mounted to the second end portion 372 of locking pin. Thereby, it is possible to assemble the connection device 30 by inserting the locking pin 370 through a hollow housing portion 321 of the support body 310 (such a portion 321 is described in greater detail below) and then fixing the locking portion 340 to the second end portion 372 of locking pin. According to an embodiment, the locking pin 370 particularly comprises a cylindrical portion 373 interposed between the first and second end portions 371, 372 of locking pin. According to an embodiment, the second end portion 372 of locking pin extends from the cylindrical portion 373 and has a polygonal profile, preferably a square or substantially square profile. The locking portion 340 preferably comprises a coupling cavity 341 conjugated to the second end portion 372 of locking pin. The coupling cavity 341 is adapted to receive the second end portion 372 of pin 370 to allow mounting the locking portion 340 to the locking pin 370. According to an embodiment, the locking member 330 comprises a mounting pin 380 to fix the locking portion 340 to the second end portion 372 of locking pin. The mounting pin 380 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, more preferably of spring steel, and even more preferably of steel CK67-CK75-55S17. According to an embodiment, the mounting pin 380 is an elastic pin. According to an embodiment, the mounting pin 380 crosses a first mounting channel 372A provided in the second end portion 372 of locking pin and has a pair of opposite end portions 381, 382 inserted into a respective pair of mounting through openings 342 (only one of which is shown in the accompanying Figures) which are provided on the locking portion 340 and are aligned with the first mounting channel 372A.

[0021] With reference to Figures 6, 9-11, each connection device 30 comprises an electrical contact member 350 arranged in the aforesaid mounting seat 320. The electrical contact member 350 is made of an electrically conductive material, preferably brass. The electrical contact member 350 has at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 arranged to contact panel 10. According to an embodiment, the electrical contact member 350 comprises a pair of electrical contact portions 351, 352. Preferably, the electrical contact member 350 is shaped as a washer from which the aforesaid at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 projects. According to an embodiment, the electrical contact member 350 is fitted onto the locking member 330, and more preferably onto the locking pin 370, by means of a connection opening 353. According to an embodiment, if the locking member 330 is rotatably mounted about the sliding axis XI, the electrical contact member 350 is integral in rotation with the locking member 330 about such an axis XI. Preferably, the electrical contact member 350 is made integral in rotation with the locking member 330 by means of at least one connection rib 375 provided in the locking member 330 which engages in a corresponding connection recess 354, 355, communicating with the connection opening 353, which is provided in the electrical contact member 350. In the example illustrated in the accompanying Figures, the locking member 330 comprises a single rib 375. According to an embodiment, the electrical contact member 350 instead comprises a pair of opposite connection recesses 354, 355. According to an embodiment, the electrical contact member 350 is further slidingly mounted to the locking member 350 so as to slide in the direction of the sliding axis XI. According to an embodiment, the at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 is a sharp portion adapted to scratch panel 10 during the rotation of said locking member 330. Thereby, it is possible to scratch the aforesaid covering of the front face 101 and ensure the grounding connection of panel 10. Preferably, both the electrical contact portions 351, 352 are sharp portions adapted to scratch the front face 101 of panel 10 during the rotation of the locking member 330.

[0022] Again with reference to Figures 6, 9-11, each connection device 30 comprises an electrically conductive elastic element 360 operatively interposed between the locking member 330 and the electrical contact member 350. More preferably, the elastic element 360 is interposed between the head 371 of locking pin and the electrical contact member 350. According to an embodiment, the elastic element 360 is made of steel, more preferably of stainless steel 17-7PH subjected to a passivation process. The elastic element 360 is arranged to bias the at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 towards the locking portion 340 and/or towards the at least one opening 322, 323 of mounting seat, which is described below. Advantageously, the elastic element 360 ensures the grounding of panel 10 over time due to the contact pressure applied to the electrical contact member 350 which allows keeping an adequate contact pressure between the at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 and the panel 10, and therefore the electrical contact between the at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 and the panel 10. Moreover, the elastic element 360 allows advantageously making the assembly formed by panel 10 and connection devices 30 an elastic system which, by allowing a movement of panel 10, allows absorbing the pressure applied to panel 10 by the gases which can be released in the case of a fault inside the electrical panel, for example in the case of a short circuit. Thereby, it is thus conveniently possible to avoid panel 10 from bending or being deformed due to the pressure applied by the gases released in the case of a fault in the electrical panel, and in any case, it is possible to limit the deformation of panel 10 within allowed limitations (usually the deformation of panel 10 is indeed allowed up to maintain the protection level stated for the casing of the electrical panel). According to an embodiment, the elastic element 360 comprises a spring 360 fitted onto the locking member 330, more preferably onto the locking pin 370. According to an embodiment, in particular, spring 360 is a wave spring 360. Advantageously, the fact of providing a wave spring 360 ensures double the load with the working length being equal, with respect to a conventional compression spring, and therefore allows obtaining increased compactness of the connection device 30 with respect to when a traditional compression spring is employed.

[0023] With reference to Figures 6, 8, according to an embodiment, the mounting seat 320 of the support body 310 comprises the aforesaid hollow housing portion 321. The electrical contact member 350, the elastic element 360 and preferably at least in part the locking pin head 371 are received in the hollow housing portion 321. The hollow housing portion 321 comprises the aforesaid at least one mounting seat opening 322, 323, more preferably, a pair of mounting seat openings 322, 323. The at least one mounting seat opening 322, 323 is preferably provided on a bottom wall 324 of the hollow housing portion 321. Preferably, the at least one mounting seat opening 322, 323 comprises at least one curved slot 322, 323, and more preferably, a pair of curved slots 322, 323. The at least one electrical contact portion 351, 352 is arranged so as to cross the at least one mounting seat opening 322, 323 in order to contact panel 10. In particular, according to an embodiment, each electrical contact portion 351, 352 is arranged so as to cross a respective mounting seat opening 322, 323.

[0024] With reference to Figures 5-8, according to an embodiment, the support body 310 comprises a first face 313, or front face 313, and an opposite second face 314, or rear face 314, which is intended to face the front face 101 of panel 10. According to an embodiment, the first end portion 371 of the locking member 330 is located on the side of the front face 313 of the support body 310, while the locking portion 340 is located on the side of the rear face 314 of the support body 310. According to an embodiment, the aforesaid fixing elements 311, 312 are located on the side of the rear face 314 of the support body 310. According to an embodiment, the fixing elements 311, 312 comprise a first fixing element 311 and a second fixing element 312 opposed to each other. According to an embodiment, the fixing elements 311, 312 comprise interlocking and snap fixing elements 311, 312 adapted to couple with conjugated interlocking and snap fixing elements 411, 412 provided in panel 10 (Figure 12). Preferably, the interlocking and snap fixing elements 311, 312 comprise a first and a second elastic fixing tooth 311, 312, while the conjugated interlocking and snap fixing elements 411, 412 comprise a pair of conjugated fixing openings 411, 412 provided in panel 10. Each of the aforesaid conjugated fixing openings 411, 412 is adapted to couple with a respective elastic fixing tooth 311, 312. According to an embodiment, the conjugated fixing openings 411 and 412 are particularly adapted to be crossed by the first and second connection portions 317, 318, respectively, which will be described below. According to an embodiment, panel 10 comprises a connection opening 420, preferably interposed between the pair of conjugated fixing openings 411, 412, which is adapted to be crossed by a mounting seat collar 326 of the support body 310, which is described below.

[0025] With reference to Figures 4, 5, 7, according to an embodiment, the support body 310 comprises coupling elements 315, 316 for coupling, preferably in a removable manner, the connection device 30 to a respective fixing band 2, 3. According to an embodiment, the coupling elements 315, 316 are adapted to couple with conjugated coupling elements 5, 6 provided in a respective fixing band 2, 3. According to an embodiment, the coupling elements 315, 316 comprise a first coupling tab 315 and a second coupling tab 316, which are located on the side of the rear face 314 of the support body 310. The conjugated coupling elements 5, 6 preferably comprise a first coupling slit 5 and a second coupling slit 6 through which the first coupling tab 315 and the second coupling tab 316 can be inserted, respectively. The first and second coupling tabs 315, 316 serve the function of keeping in position panel 10 with respect to the electrical apparatuses 20, and more preferably, with respect to the control portions 201, as well as with respect to further panels which can be mounted above and/or below panel 10. According to an embodiment, the first fixing tooth 311 and/or the first coupling tab 315 are provided on a first connection portion 317 projecting from the rear face 314 of body 310 and which is adapted to cross panel 10. Moreover, the second fixing tooth 312 and/or the second coupling tab 316 are provided on a second connection portion 318 projecting from the rear face 314 of body 310 and which is adapted to cross panel 10. Preferably, the first and second connection portions 317, 318 have a rectangular profile. With reference to Figures 7, 8, according to an embodiment, the support body 310 comprises an abutment wall 319 adapted to contact the front face 101 of panel 10 when the support body 310 is fixed to panel 10. According to an embodiment, the mounting seat 320 comprises a mounting channel 325 crossed by the locking member 330 and more preferably, by the cylindrical portion 373 of the locking pin 370. According to an embodiment, the mounting channel 325 is defined by the aforesaid mounting seat collar 326 extending from the side of the rear face 314 of the support body 310 and against which the locking portion 340 is preferably adapted to abut. Preferably, the mounting seat collar 326 is provided with one or more collar ribs 327, 328. The collar ribs 327, 328 serve the function of reinforcing the support body 310. According to an embodiment, the locking member 330 comprises a sealing channel 376 transverse to the sliding axis XI, and the mounting seat 320 comprises two mutually coaxial sealing through openings 391, 392. Preferably, the sealing channel 376 is provided in the first end portion 371 of the locking member 330. When the locking member 330 takes the locking configuration (Figure 4), the sealing channel 376 and the sealing through openings 391, 392 are mutually aligned. In such a configuration, a wire (not shown) can be passed through the sealing channel 376 and the sealing through openings 391, 392 and the ends of the wire can be sandwiched in a lead seal, for example.

[0026] The structure of the connection device 30 being described, a method for connecting panel 10 to part 2, 3, of the electrical panel is briefly described below, by way of non-limiting explanation, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

[0027] In order to fix panel 10 to the electrically conductive part 2, 3, each connection device 30 is preliminarily fixed, more preferably interlocked, to panel 10 by inserting the elastic fixing teeth 311, 312 through the conjugated fixing openings 411, 412 of the panel 10 itself. Then, panel 10 with the two connection devices 30 is approached to part 2, 3 by inserting the coupling tabs 315, 316 of each connection device 30 into the respective slits 5, 6 provided in the respective fixing band 2, 3 and inserting the locking portion 340 of each connection device 30 through a corresponding locking opening 7 provided in the respective fixing band 2, 3. In particular, when the locking portion 340 is inserted into the locking opening 7, the locking member 330 takes the release configuration (Figure 5, Figure 7). At this point, the locking member 330 of each connection device 30 is pressed towards the bottom wall 324 so as to slide in the direction of the sliding axis XI and compress spring 360. The locking member 330 of each connection device 30 is then rotated about axis XI so that the locking portion 340 can engage the respective fixing band 2, 3, to fix panel 10 to the electrically conductive part 2, 3 of the electrical panel.

[0028] Based on the above description, it is thus possible to understand how a connection device of the type described above allows achieving the aforesaid objects with reference to the prior art. Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the constructional details can be broadly varied with respect to the above description merely disclosed by way of a non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connection device (30) for fixing and electrically connecting a panel (10) to an electrically conductive part (2, 3) of an electrical panel, comprising:

- a support body (310) comprising fixing elements (311, 312) to fix the support body (310) to the panel (10), said support body (310) defining a mounting seat (320);

- at least one electrically conductive locking member (330) comprising an electrically conductive locking portion (340), said locking member (330) being adapted to take a locking configuration, in which said locking portion (340) is adapted to engage said electrically conductive part (2, 3) of the electrical panel to fix the panel (10) to said electrically conductive part (2, 3), and a release configuration, in which said locking portion (340) is adapted to be disengaged from said electrically conductive part (2, 3) so as to allow the panel (10) to be uncoupled from said electrically conductive part (2, 3), wherein said locking member (330) is slidingly mounted in said mounting seat (320) so as to slide along a sliding axis (XI);

- an electrical contact member (350) made of an electrically conductive material, arranged in said mounting seat (320), said electrical contact member (350) having at least one electrical contact portion (351, 352) arranged to contact the panel (10);

- an electrically conductive elastic element (360) operatively interposed between said locking member (330) and said electrical contact member (350), said elastic element (360) being arranged to bias said at least one electrical contact portion (351, 352) towards said locking portion (340).

2. A connection device (30) according to claim 1, wherein said mounting seat (320) comprises a hollow housing portion (321) in which said electrical contact member (350) and said elastic element (360) are received, said hollow housing portion (321) comprising at least one mounting seat opening (322, 323), said at least one electrical contact portion (351, 352) being arranged so as to cross said at least one mounting seat opening (322, 323) in order to contact the panel (10).

3. A connection device (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said elastic element (360) comprises a spring (360) fitted onto the locking member (330).

4. A connection device (30) according to claim 3, wherein said spring (360) is a wave spring (360).

5. A connection device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking member (330) comprises a locking pin (370) comprising a first end portion (371) of locking pin defining a first end portion of said locking member (330), wherein said locking portion (340) defines a second end portion of said locking member (330) which is opposite to said first end portion (371) of locking pin.

6. A connection device (30) according to claim 5, wherein said locking pin (370) comprises a second end portion (372) of locking pin opposite to said first end portion (371) of locking pin, wherein said locking portion (340) is mounted to said second end portion (372) of locking pin.

7. A connection device (30) according to claim 6, wherein said locking pin (370) comprises a cylindrical portion (373) interposed between the first and second end portions (371, 372) of locking pin, wherein said second end portion (372) of locking pin extends from said cylindrical portion (373) and has a polygonal profile, wherein said locking portion (340) comprises a coupling cavity (341) matching the second end portion (372) of locking pin.

8. A connection device (30) according to claim 7, wherein said locking member (330) comprises a mounting pin (380) to fix said locking portion (340) to said second end portion (372) of locking pin, said mounting pin (380) crossing a first mounting channel (372A) provided in the second end portion (372) of locking pin and having a pair of opposite end portions (381, 382) inserted into a respective pair of mounting through openings (342) which are provided on said locking portion (340) and are aligned with the first mounting channel

(372A).

9. A connection device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking member (330) is rotatably mounted about said sliding axis (XI).

10. A connection device (30) according to claim 9, wherein said electrical contact member (350) is rotationally integral with said locking member (330) about said sliding axis (XI) and wherein said at least one electrical contact portion (351, 352) is a sharp portion adapted to scratch the panel (10) during the rotation of said locking member (330).

11. A connection device (30) according to claim 10 wherein said locking member (330) is a quarter-turn locking member.

12. An assembly (10, 30) comprising a panel (10) fixable to an electrically conductive part (2, 3) of an electrical panel and a pair of connection devices (30) according to any one of the preceding claims fixed to the panel (10).