ES2341460T3 - CONNECTOR, FALSE CUTTING GRID THAT INCLUDES SUCH CONNECTOR AND CONNECTION BOX EQUIPPED WITH SUCH GRID. - 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

Connector, false cut grid comprising said connector and connection box equipped with said grid.

The present invention relates to a connector for a false cut grid, as well as a false grid cut comprising at least said connector. The invention is also refers to a junction box for conductive cables equipped with said false cut grid.

In the field of current distribution electrical, it is known to make a false cut grid in the which some cable conductors upstream of section relatively important they are connected to connectors where again some great downstream cable conductors start section too while some more section drivers small are also connected to each of these connectors, what which allows a branch connection to power a installation or part of installation. This type of connection allows, from a main line constituted by the Large section conductors, feed one or more loads from of the smaller section bypass conductors.

The known false cut grids, for example from the document US-A-4,640,571, occupy a volume relatively important due to the juxtaposition of the parts of these grilles intended to receive respectively the ends of upstream conductors and conductor ends downstream of the main line as well as the ends of the shunt conductors. In addition, to avoid crosslinking of the cables, it is usual to make these false cut grids with a relatively important width, to the point that in the practice it is difficult to integrate these false cut grids into boxes such as those commonly used to contain electrical, telephone or mechanical type devices counters, connection terminals, fuses or emergency exits of net.

These difficulties are so important, that is it is generally necessary to provide on said grid, an outlet that allow a provisional connection, in order to allow maintenance interventions of a power grid that incorporates said grid.

It is these inconveniences that he intends most particularly avoiding the invention by proposing a connector for grid of false cut that allows to fulfill the set of the Functions of the false cutting grilles of the prior art presenting at the same time a compactness that can be integrated in a standard box or chest, without drivers intersect or intermingle.

In this essentiality, the invention relates to a connector for grid of false cut of electrical network, this connector comprising an electrically conductive core, which defines two main accommodations each destined to the reception, blocking and connection of a conductor end of large section cable as well as at least one housing Secondary for reception, blocking and connection of one cable conductor end of small section. The soul is made by a portion of profile in conductive material. This connector is characterized because its soul forms:

i)

two appropriate U cages to receive each one, to level of the ends of the branches of the U that form, a plate of closure equipped with a tightening screw, while a cage U-shaped and a plate together delimit one of said housings main,

ii)

an auxiliary block in which two are practiced through holes, which each define a housing secondary, as well as an appropriate step to receive and immobilize in rotation a nut designed to form a female socket provisional on the connector, being an access hole to the nut practiced on an external wall of this auxiliary block, Y

iii)

a sole that joins these cages and these blocks auxiliary

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In the sense of the invention, the notion of great section or small section of cable conductors is a relative notion, presenting a large section conductor a section more important than a small section conductor. TO example title, a great section driver can present a section between 50 and 150 mm2, while a Small section conductor has a section between 10 and 35 mm2. The fact that the soul of the driver is realized by a portion of profile it allows to substantially decrease its cost price with respect to the materials of the state of the technique to the extent that the manufacture of a profile can be automated, as well as its cut with a production rate high. The auxiliary block allows to fulfill a double function, to know that of an output for bypass conductors as well as the constitution of a provisional connection socket thanks to the nut introduced and immobilized in the passage. The sole that joins the cages and the auxiliary block allows a spatial distribution of receiving housings of the ends of conductive cables that limits the risks of cross-linking of these cables, which facilitates An installer's job.

According to some advantageous aspects but not mandatory, such a connector can incorporate one or more  of the following characteristics considered in any technically permissible combination:

- The nut receiving step extends in a length less than the length of the profile portion taken parallel to the length of the through holes.

- The auxiliary block comprises a rib intermediate distant from the outer wall and in which they are made two threaded holes for receiving screws tighten the conductor ends in position in the secondary accommodations It can be expected that, at least against these threaded holes, the auxiliary block is machined to leave access to these threaded holes according to one direction perpendicular to the intermediate rib. The outer wall in the which is the hole for access to the nut and the Intermediate rib cited are advantageously parallel.

- An electrically wrapped envelope is provided insulator applied to the soul of the conductor and comprising three fixed parts respectively intended to partially cover the cages and the auxiliary block, being an articulated flap on each fixed part, monoblock with it and appropriate to cover the parts of cages and block not covered by fixed parts of the envelope. These fins advantageously comprise each at least one series of deformable tabs suitable for separate from each other to rest on one or some conductive cables whose respective ends are in position in One of the accommodations. The flap articulated on the fixed part of the envelope that covers the auxiliary block is, so preferred, suitable for simultaneously covering the screws for tightening the cable ends in position in the housings secondary as well as the access hole to the connecting nut provisional.

The invention also relates to a grid of false cut for an electrical network that includes at least for a phase or for the neutral, a connector such as the one mentioned higher.

The invention also relates to a box of conductor cable connection comprising a protective enclosure  equipped with a false cut grid such as the one mentioned above above.

The false cut grid comprises advantageously a connector such as the one described above for each phase and for the neutral, with the cages and the auxiliary block of said connector arranged in front of a cable passage space conductors practiced between the cages or between a cage and the auxiliary block of another connector and facing another passage space of conductive cables practiced between this other conductor and one side of the enclosure.

The invention and its advantages will become more clearly apparent from the following description of a embodiment of a connection box incorporating a false cutting grid according to the invention with connectors according to the invention, given only by way of example and referring to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection box according to the invention equipped with a false cutting grid according to the invention, before the cable placement;

- Figure 2 is a front view of the box Figure 1 in which the lead wires in position are represented in mixed strokes by their axis strokes respective;

- Figure 3 is a partial section of principle according to line III-III in figure 2, the cables being omitted;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connector used in the false cut grid of the case Figures 1 to 3;

- Figure 5 is a view analogous to the figure 4, while the connector is in another configuration; Y,

- Figure 6 is a perspective view exploded of the conductive soul and some accessory elements of the connector of figures 4 and 5.

The box 1 represented in figures 1 and 2 it comprises an insulating envelope of which only the tank 2 it is represented in figures 1 to 3, a closing panel or a door destined to be applied to this tank 2 to obtain the O opening formed on its front face to access its volume inside. A false cut grid G is mounted in the tank 2 and It comprises four connectors 3 mounted on a stepped socket 4 applied in turn on zippers 24 fixed on the sides 22 and 23 of the tank and that extend parallel and at a distance of wall 21. Screws 25 are used to immobilize the socket 4 on the zippers 24. Other means of mounting of socket 4 in tank 2.

The socket 4 comprises two flat surfaces 41 and 42 on each of which two connectors 3 are mounted, extending these surfaces at different distances from the wall 21 and being joined by a transition surface 43. The surfaces 41 and 42 are globally parallel to wall 21. The they may however be inclined with respect to this wall.

The four connectors 3 that equip the grid False cut G thus created are identical.

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Each connector 3 comprises a core 31 made for a portion of the metal profile of which L_ {31} is recorded length taken parallel to the largest profile dimension before of its sectioning. On the other hand I_ {31} is noted the width of the portion 31 which has, in practice, a value greater than that of the length L_ {31}.

The portion 31 comprises a sole 311 from which four branches 312a, 312b, 312c and 312d each provided with a hollow housing 313 extend, the housings 313 of the branches 312a and 312b facing each other, while the housings 313 of branches 312c and 312d are also facing each other. The housings 313 of the legs 312a and 312b allow to receive lateral projections 314a from a closing plate 314 provided with a central threaded hole 314b for receiving a clamping screw 315. A skate 315a is mounted by boring at the end of each screw 315, with interposition of a washer 315b. This skate 315a allows to distribute the tightening effort exerted by the screw 315 and ensure a good electrical contact. A second closure plate 314 is mounted level
of the housings 313 of the branches 312c and 312d, also supporting a screw 315 and elements 315a and 315b.

Thus, branches 312a and 312b define a first C_ {1} globally U-shaped cage, which can be closed by the plate 314 visible to the left of figures 6 and 7, while branches 312c and 312d define a second C2 cage, globally U-shaped, intended to be closed by the second plate 314.

The 311 sole is also monobloc with a block auxiliary 316 in which two through holes are made 316a and 316b, at the bottom of block 316, that is in its part closest to the sole 311. An intermediate rib 316c is extends in block 316 parallel to sole 311. The walls on side 316d and 316e of block 316 are joined by a wall upper 316f opposite sole 311. Wall 316f is distant of rib 316c. An 316g pass-through is defined in the block 316 between elements 316c, 316d, 316e and 316f. The walls 316d and 316e are each provided with a longitudinal rib 316d_ {1}, respectively 316e_ {1}.

Immediately after sectioning, the soul 31 has the same geometry according to its entire length, which is represented by the mixed strokes configuration in figure 6. It is then possible to machine a part of the material that constitutes block 316 by machining to remove the part represented in mixed strokes in figure 6. Two threaded holes 316h and 316j they can then be practiced in rib 316c, leading to each of these threaded holes respectively in one of the holes 316a or 316b. A 316k hole is also practiced in the remaining part of the wall 316f, substantially in the center of is. Another hole 316m is made in rib 316c being aligned with hole 316k. Material extraction made by machining on block 316 allows access to the rib 316c in the direction of arrow F_ {0} in Figure 6, that is perpendicular to this rib.

317 screws are applied in the threaded holes 316h and 316j, while a nut 318 is introduced in step 316g above the ribs 316d_ {1} and 316e_ {1}, as represented by the arrow F_ {1} in the Figure 6. It will be noted that the width I_ {318} of the nut 318 is say the distance that separates two parallel faces from it, is slightly less than the width I 316 of step 316g, of such so that, once introduced in the housing 105 formed by this step, nut 318 can no longer rotate around the central axis X_ {318} of its threaded hole. The width I_ {318} is greater than the distance between the ribs 316d_ {1} and 316e_ {1}, of such so that these ribs keep nut 318 in the proximity  of wall 316f.

As the rib 316c is accessible in the direction of the arrow F_ {0}, the placement and the screw operation 17.

Step 316g has a length L_ {316} less than the length L 31, which corresponds to the result of the aforementioned machining operation.

When nut 318 is in position in the passage 316g, its central threaded hole is globally aligned with the hole 316k, in such a way that it is possible to thread in it, to through this hole, a dummy or a threaded stem for make a provisional connection on connector 3, as has been represented in mixed lines in figure 5 only in which a provisional connection male connector 200 is in position on connector 3. Rotational maintenance of nut 318 in housing 105 allows easy threading of connector 200. The hole 316m allows the threaded rod of connector 200 go through step 316g from part to part.

At the level of the C1 and C2 cages, 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 great section introduced in each one of these cages. At the level of these holes 316a and 316b, the sole 311 is provided with teeth 311b perforating the insulating sheath covering the end of a small section conductor introduced in one or the other of the housings formed by these holes.

Referring to figures 2 and 5, understands that the stripped end of a conductor upstream of large section can be introduced in a delimited housing 101 through the C_ {1} cage of each of the connectors 3, while the stripped end of a large section downstream conductor can be entered in a housing 102 delimited by each of the C2 cages.

Obviously, as a variant, the driver upstream can be introduced into the C2 cage, while  that the downstream conductor is introduced into the cage C_ {1}.

It is assumed, in the continuation of the description, that figure 5 represents the connector 3 used for the connection of neutral conductors. A neutral current conductor above N_ {1} can be introduced in housing 101 and then its tight end thanks to screw 315 and skate 315a corresponding. In the same way, a neutral conductor downstream N_ {2} can be introduced and immobilized in the housing 102 by corresponding elements 315 and 315a. Two small section bypass cables n_ {1} and n_ {2} can be introduced in housings 103 and 104 respectively formed by holes 316a and 316b to feed each one branch load from the main circuit consisting of the cables N_ {1} and N_ {2}. Obviously, if only one load must be powered, a single cable n_ {1} or n_ {2} is introduced in only one of housings 103 and 104. The ends of the cables n_ {1} and n_ {2} are immobilized in the housings 103 and 104 thanks to screws 317.

The situation is analogous in terms of the connection of the phase cables thanks to the connectors 3 provided against the marks L1, L2 and L3 on socket 4, facilitating these marks the reference of the phases for the installer as well as the N mark for the neutral.

Each connector 3 is equipped with an envelope insulator 32 that is intended to protect your soul 31 from contacts accidental with some nearby materials.

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

When in position, part 323 of the envelope 32 seals step 316g on the side of portion 31 that does not It is visible in Figures 6 and 7. On the side of the holes threaded 316h and 316j, the ribs 316d_ {1} and 316e_ {1} are deformed plastically in the direction of wall 316f, until the point that constitute some stops for a movement of the nut 318 in the direction of screws 317. This aspect of the invention, which is not represented in figure 5, allows immobilization of nut 318 that does not run the risk of sliding down when the connector 3 is in the configuration of figures 1 to 3. Thus, elements 323, 316d_ {1} and 316e_ {1} constitute retaining means of nut 318 in its housing formed by step 316g.

Part 321 is monobloc with a 325 fin formed by two 325a and 325b panels joined by a 325c hinge formed by thinning material. Another hinge 325d, from same type, join panel 325 to part 321. Panel 325a forms a cap 325e of screw head cover 315 C_ {1} cage, while panel 325b is provided with several 325f tabs extending from side studs 325g towards a middle zone 325h of panel 325b. These 325 tabs are separated by interstices and attached to the 325g uprights for flexible joints, allowing them separate from each other and from zone 325h when a conductor cable of cable type N_ {1} is in position in cage C_ {1}, the tongues being then supported on the sheath of this cable.

Flap 325 is also provided with a handle 325j that facilitates your maneuver to move from your configuration of figure 5 to that of figure 4 and reciprocally. Hooks 321a are provided on part 321 and allow retain fin 325 in the configuration of Figure 4.

The fixed parts 322 and 323 are respectively attached to fins 326 and 327 of the same type as fin 325, except for the fact that fin 327 is devoid of a cap since the screw heads 317 do not protrude beyond of wall 316f once tightened.

It has scored d the distance between the parts 321 and 322 and d 'the distance between the parts 322 and 323 of the shell 32. In practice, the distances d and d' can be identical. The fact that these distances are not zero makes it possible 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 cables intended to be connected to another connector than that shown in figures 5 and 6. Thus, as shown in figure 2, the cables intended to be connected to the cages of the phase connectors pass through the spaces E defined by the neutral connector as well as by a space E 'defined between this connector and the right side 22 of the tank 2. In addition, the connectors 3 are offset with respect 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 in Figure 2, while the connectors of the first and third phases (L_ {1}, L_ {3}) are arranged in the proximity of the right side 22 in this figure. This allows substantially aligning the cages C 1 and C 2 of an upper connector with the passage spaces E of a lower connector or with the space E 'left free between this lower connector and one side of the envelope 2. This arrangement facilitates the referencing and placement of the conductive cables in box 1 and prevents their cross-linking.

Given the fact that the surface 41 is farther from wall 21 than surface 42, the conductors connected on the two rows of connectors L_ {2} and L_ {3} closest to the upper part 26 of Cuba 2 do not have necessarily to go through the spaces E and E 'defined at the level of the two rows of lower connectors N and L_ {1}.

Claims (11)

1. Connector for grid of false cut of electrical network, said connector comprising an electrically conductive core that defines two main housings each destined for the reception, the blocking and the connection of a cable conductor end of great section as well as minus a secondary housing intended for the reception, blocking and connection of a small section cable conductor end, said core being made of a portion (31) of conductive material profile, characterized in that said core forms: - two appropriate U cages (C 1, C 2) to receive each one, at the level of the ends of the branches (312a, 312b, 312c, 312d) of the U forming, a closing plate (314) equipped with a clamping screw (315), while a cage U and a plate together delimit one of said main housings (101, 102), - an auxiliary block (316) in which they are made two through holes (316a, 316b), which delimit each one a secondary housing (103, 104), as well as a passage (316g) suitable for receiving and immobilizing a nut in rotation (318) intended to form a female provisional connection socket on said connector, being an access hole (316k) to said nut practiced on an external wall (316f) of said block, and - a sole (311) that joins said cages and said auxiliary block 2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that said passage (316g) extends over a length (L 316) less than the length (L 31) of said portion (31) taken parallel to the length of said holes interns (316a, 316b). 3. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said auxiliary block (316) comprises an intermediate rib (316c) distant from said external wall (316f) and in which two threaded holes (316h, 316j) are received for receiving screws (317) for conductor end tightening (n_ {1}, n_ {2}) in position in said secondary housings (103, 104). 4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that at least in front of said threaded holes (316h, 316j), said auxiliary block (316) is machined to allow access to said threaded holes according to a perpendicular direction (F 0) to said intermediate rib (316c). 5. Connector according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said external wall (316f) and said intermediate rib (316c) are parallel. 6. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electrically insulating envelope (32) applied on said core (21) and comprising three fixed parts (321, 322, 323) respectively intended to partially cover said cages (C_ { 1}, C 2) and said auxiliary block (316), a fin (325, 326, 327) being articulated on each fixed part, monoblock with it and suitable for covering the parts (314, 315, 316f, 317) of said cages and of said block not covered by said fixed parts. 7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that said fins (325, 326, 327) each comprise at least one series of deformable tabs (325f) suitable to separate from each other to be supported on one or some conductors (N_ { 1}, N_ {2}, n_ {1}, n_ {2}) whose respective ends are in position in one of said housings (101-104). 8. Connector according to claim 3 and one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the flap (327) articulated on the fixed part (323) of the envelope covering said auxiliary block (316) is suitable for simultaneously covering the screws ( 317) for tightening the conductor ends (n_ {1}, n_ {2}) in position in said secondary housings (103, 104) and said access hole (316k) to said nut (318). 9. False cutting grid (G) for the power grid, characterized in that it comprises, at least for one phase (L1, L2, L3) or for the neutral (N), a connector ( 3) according to one of the preceding claims. 10. Connection box for conductive cables that comprises a protective enclosure (2) equipped with a grid of false cut (G) according to claim 9. 11. Box according to claim 10, characterized in that said grid (G) comprises a connector (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for each phase and for the neutral, the cages (C 1, C 2) being ) and the auxiliary block (316) of a connector arranged in front of a space (E) for the passage of conductive cables between the cages (C_ {1}, C_ {2}) of another connector or between a cage (C_ {2 }) and the auxiliary block (316) of another connector and facing a space (E ') for the passage of conductive cables between said other connector and a side (22, 23) of said enclosure (2).