FR2694846A1 - Fixing accessory for range of electrical equipment - uses fibre reinforced plastic block with embedded longitudinal spring allowing snap fit to rails and equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The fixing device (100) consists of a moulded glass fibre reinforced plastic monoblock (101). The monoblock is shaped such that on either side there are ledges with sills and grooves (103,105,111,113,119,125). The main ledge (105) has a circular channel in its lower face. Grooves (106) in the circular channel receive open ring sprung members (107) with their tails (109) secured in holes. The fitting (100, 101) may be attached by a snap action to a variety of standardised supports (20) and in turn bear a range of electrical units (120). ADVANTAGE - Fixing device affords great flexibility in range of supports and electrical equipment which may be accommodated. Installation is very simple.

Description

 The invention relates to the field of electrical wiring, and more specifically the attachment of electrical devices to a metal support of the rail or perforated plate type.

 We commonly use such supports for mounting and connecting electrical devices, and we meet in particular rails of different types, in the form of a profile whose section has either the shape of an omega (by example the symmetrical DIN rail), or the shape of an L (for example the asymmetrical DIN rail).

 The devices concerned are of very different types: they can be, for example, circuit breakers, terminal blocks, selectors, relays, regulators, terminal blocks, or various modular devices.

 These electrical devices are generally intended to be fixed by snap-fastening, and for this purpose have on their rear face a conformation corresponding to a snap-fitting adapted to the particular type of support encountered (symmetrical rail, asymmetrical rail, perforated plate).

 As a result, the fitter must use electrical devices specifically designed to be able to mount on the metal support concerned, which requires having several different types for each range of devices. In addition, some electrical devices are designed to be fixed by screwing, which in this case requires the use of special nuts, shaped to be clipped onto the metal support concerned.

 Accessories for fixing electrical devices have already been proposed, the structure of which allows versatile mounting on different types of metal supports, the electrical device concerned then being mounted on the associated accessory.

 Such a known accessory comprises on one side latching means for fixing the accessory on a metal support of the rail type (symmetrical or asymmetrical) or perforated plate, and on the opposite side means for receiving an electrical appliance.

 More specifically, the latching means of the known accessory are constituted by elastic tabs with grooves or transverse grooves, the assembly being produced in the form of a single piece of plastic material. In the case of a symmetrical rail, the free edges of the two protruding returns (coplanar) are pinched, while in the case of an asymmetrical rail, the free edges of the two returning returns (non-coplanar) are biased in the direction of their spacing. In the case of a perforated plate, the dimensioning usually used for the mesh of the plate implies a snap similar to that which is used for the asymmetrical rail, while then acting on the edges of two ligaments of said plate.

 Pinching the support (as is the case for a symmetrical rail) generally allows absorption of dimensioning variations, which are usually more or less 0.3 mm. On the other hand, a stress in the direction of the spacing is more sensitive to such variations: for this reason, the fixing on asymmetrical rail, and often also on perforated plate, risks presenting a significant clearance when the dimensioning is too small, this can lead to the untimely fall of the electrical device mounted on the accessory, and this with an even greater risk on the weight of the device is important.

 Another drawback lies in the presence of a use face made in the form of a rectangular plate, which is only designed for clipping on two opposite edges, so that one is limited to using electrical devices. fitted with a symmetrical snap-in system. Such a restriction to this particular type of device can also have the effect of increasing the overall height of the installation.

 The invention aims precisely to solve this problem, by designing an accessory that does not have the aforementioned drawbacks and / or limitations.

 The object of the invention is thus to provide an attachment accessory for electrical appliances which provides the assembler with maximum flexibility, while allowing optimal use of the height available for his installation.

 It is more particularly an accessory for fixing electrical devices, comprising on one side latching means for fixing the accessory on a metal support of the rail or perforated plate type, and on the opposite side of the means for receiving an electrical appliance, characterized in that - the latching means comprise at least one cut annular spring, a portion of which including the circumferential clearance defined by the cut is received in a groove in an arc formed for this purpose on the accessory being arranged so that the plane of this annular spring is essentially parallel to the latching direction, said annular spring being compressed by an edge of the metal support during latching and ensuring after latching the tightening of this edge - The receiving means comprise latching members which are compatible with conventional systems of fixing by snap-fastening t symmetrical or asymmetrical type, and / or screwing elements which are compatible with conventional screw fixing systems.

 Preferably, the accessory comprises on the rear face a projecting block having two identical grooves in an arc, each receiving an annular spring cut in order to clamp the metal support at two offset points.

 According to a particular embodiment, the or each cut annular spring is held in its groove in an arc by a point thereof which is curved outward in the plane of said spring, and which enters a blind hole partner arranged at the back of the throat.

 It is also interesting that the latching means are supplemented by transverse grooves, formed on associated projecting blocks for fixing the accessory on a metal rail of symmetrical or asymmetrical type, or on a perforated plate.

 Furthermore, it is advantageous that the latching members of the means provided for receiving an electrical appliance comprise, in the upper part and in the lower part, projecting returns turned upwards and downwards, so as to define a first pair returns for the attachment of an electrical appliance with a symmetrical snap-on type, and a second pair of returns for the attachment of an electrical appliance with an asymmetrical snap-on type.

Preferably then, the return which is formed in the upper part and which is turned upwards, is part of an adapter piece removably mounted. In particular, the adapter piece is constituted by a plate extended by a bracket whose free branch constitutes the aforementioned return, said plate being insertable from above into an associated slot of the accessory. Advantageously also, the leading edges of the various returns are chamfered, for example at 450
According to another particular characteristic, a pair of returns is used to snap-fit a plate with diagonal lights to allow the fixing of an electrical device of the screw-on type.

 It is also possible to provide a particular variant according to which the accessory exclusively comprises screwing members, arranged in the form of a plate with diagonal lights which is in one piece with the rest of the accessory.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the following description and the attached drawings, relating to a particular embodiment, with reference to the figures or
- Figure 1 illustrates in perspective an accessory according to the invention, here provided for receiving two annular springs cut for snap-fastening on a metal support (here there is an associated receiving groove, without its annular spring)
- Figure 2 is a side view of this accessory, better showing one of its cut annular springs, and Figure 3 illustrates on a larger scale such a spring with its bent fixing point
- Figures 4 to 6 illustrate three possible assemblies of the aforementioned accessory, with a latching respectively on a symmetrical DIN rail (the cut spring (s) do not intervene in this case), on an asymmetrical DIN rail, and on a perforated plate
- Figure 7 illustrates the mounting, on the aforementioned accessory fixed here on an asymmetrical DIN rail, of an electrical device (shown diagrammatically in dashed lines) equipped with a known latching system of asymmetrical type;
- Figure 8 illustrates in perspective the aforementioned accessory ready to receive a removable adapter piece, which completes the accessory so that it can receive a device equipped with a latching systems of symmetrical type
- Figures 9 and 10 are elevational and side views of the aforementioned adapter
- Figure 11 illustrates the assembly, on the accessory equipped with its adapter piece and here fixed on a rail
Asymmetrical DIN, of an electrical device (shown in dashed lines) equipped with a known click system of symmetrical type
- Figures 12 and 13 illustrate, with a half-view in elevation and a side view, an adapter plate designed for fixing devices of the screw type, said plate completing for this purpose the aforementioned accessory
- Figure 14 illustrates the corresponding mounting on the accessory equipped with its plate and here attached to a rail
Asymmetrical DIN, of an electrical device (shown in dashed lines) equipped with a known fixing system with screwing
- Figure 15 illustrates in perspective a variant of the invention according to which the accessory carries in a single piece a plate similar to the previous adapter plate, the accessory can then only receive electrical devices screwable sand
- Figure 16 illustrates the corresponding mounting on this accessory here attached to an asymmetrical DIN rail, an electrical device (shown in dashed lines) equipped with a screw fixing system.

 Figures 1 and 2 make it possible to distinguish an accessory 100 according to the invention, used for fixing electrical devices on metal supports of various types, such as symmetrical or asymmetrical rails, or perforated plates.

 The accessory 100 is in the form of a one-piece body 101, which may be made of plastic, such as molded polyamide reinforced with glass fibers. The representation of FIG. 1 is on an enlarged scale, insofar as the actual dimensioning in height of such an accessory is of the order of 40 mm.

 The accessory 100 comprises on one side latching means for fixing the accessory on a metal support, and, in accordance with a characteristic of the invention, these latching means, referenced 102, comprise at least one cut annular spring intended to ensure, after snap-fastening, the tightening of an edge of the metal support concerned. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is thus a cut annular spring 107, a portion of which, which includes the circumferential clearance (e) defined by the cut, is received in a groove in an arc of a circle 106 formed at this effect on the accessory 100. In the present case, the accessory 100 comprises on the rear face a projecting block 105 having two grooves in an arc 106 identical, each receiving an annular spring cut 107 for tightening the metal support at two offset points. Each of these grooves 106 is arranged in such a way that the plane of the annular springs is essentially parallel to the latching direction, here referenced 200.

 If we refer to FIG. 3, we can better distinguish the above-mentioned cut annular spring 107, one end of which is shaped as a point 109 which is bent outward in the plane of the spring, while the another free end 108 is spaced from the first end of a gap (e) which constitutes the above-mentioned circumferential clearance.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the protruding block 105 here has a blind hole 110 arranged at the bottom of the groove in an arc of a circle 106, a hole in which penetrates the curved point 109 of the cut annular spring 107, which allows to maintain said spring in its groove (one can naturally provide a forced insertion, or a bonding in order to avoid any risk of fall of the annular spring during disassembly of the accessory). As an indication, it is possible to use a cut annular spring whose diameter is of the order of 6 mm, with a metal wire of 1 mm outside diameter, the aforementioned circumferential clearance preferably being of the order of 10 mm.

 When attaching the accessory 100 to a metal support involving a snap produced by one or more cut annular springs 107, a free edge of the metal support comes into contact with each cut annular spring, which causes a slight deformation of the latter, with a sliding in the associated groove of its free end thanks to the circumferential clearance provided for this purpose. Each cut annular spring is therefore compressed during latching, then, once the free edge of the metal support has exceeded this cut annular spring, the latter is released by elasticity to ensure effective clamping of the edge of the support while pressing against the accessory.

 The locking thus obtained remains perfectly effective, even if the dimensions of the metal supports have variations of more or less 0.3 mm, the elasticity of the spring and the flexibility imparted by the circumferential play providing an automatic adjustment of the manufacturing tolerances of the supports. used.

 The latching means 102 of the accessory 100 are further here supplemented by transverse grooves arranged for fixing the accessory on various types of metal supports. There is thus a lower projecting block 103, equipped with a transverse groove 104, and a higher projecting block 113, equipped below and above with transverse grooves 114 and 115. An intermediate projecting block 111 is also provided, equipped with a transverse groove 112. A slight recess 116 is here provided in the vicinity of the cut annular spring or springs 107, but this recess occurs only in the case of an attachment of the accessory to a perforated plate, as will be explained further.

 We will now refer to Figures 4 to 6 which illustrate three possible assemblies of the aforementioned accessory.

 In FIG. 4, there is a metallic support 10 which corresponds to a conventional symmetrical DIN rail, with a central wing 11 and two lateral wings 12, the latter ending in two salient coplanar returns 13.

In this case, the cut spring or springs 107 do not intervene for the mounting of the accessory. Indeed, the upper protruding return is received in the groove 114 of the protruding block 113, while the lower protruding return penetrates, after sliding on the curved guide face of the protruding block 103 (as shown by arrow 202) in a transverse groove 104 of this block.

 In FIG. 5, it is a mounting on a metal support 20 which corresponds to a conventional asymmetrical DIN rail. The support 20 thus has the shape of an L, with two wings 21 and 24 which are orthogonal, the wing 21 being extended by a re-entrant wing 22, the profile also ending in two non-coplanar re-entrant returns 23 and 25. The free edge of the upper return 23 is received in the groove 112 of the projecting block 111, while the lower return return 25 is held in abutment, by the cut annular spring 107, against the accessory 100. The free edge of this return 25 is in direct contact with the or each cut annular spring 107, the reserve of elasticity of which ensures locking in the latched position. For the latching of the accessory 100, it suffices to insert the upper return 23 into the groove 112 , then rotate the accessory 100 (as shown by the arrow 202), until the free edge of the lower return 25 exceeds the cut annular spring or springs 107, to finally arrive at the position illustrated in FIG. 5 .

 FIG. 6 illustrates an assembly of the aforementioned accessory on a perforated plate 30, which can be distinguished in the section of FIG. 6 from horizontal ligaments 31 delimiting rectangular windows 32. The free lower edge of a ligament 31 is received in the transverse groove 115 of the projecting block 113, while the free upper edge of another ligament 31 is itself held in contact with the accessory by the cut annular spring or springs 107. It should be noted in this case that this last ligament 31 is received in the recess 116 of the accessory 100, this resulting simply from the fact that the perforated plates usually encountered have a thickness slightly greater than that of the asymmetrical metal rails, which makes it possible to make up for the corresponding dimensioning tolerance The attachment of the accessory 100 to the perforated plate 30 is carried out in a manner analogous to that which has been described for the installation. of this accessory on an asymmetrical type rail. it suffices to insert the projecting blocks 113 and 105 through two openings 32 of the perforated plate, then to insert the lower edge of a ligament 31 into the groove 115, after which it suffices to pivot the accessory 100 (as shown schematically by the arrow 202), until the ligament 31 concerned which has compressed the cut annular spring or springs 107 reaches, after snap-fastening, in direct support against the accessory.

 The foregoing description thus shows that the accessory according to the invention can be easily fixed to a metallic support of any type, such as a symmetrical rail 10, an asymmetrical rail 20, or a perforated plate 30. In the latter two case, the locking conferred by one or more cut annular springs 107 is very effective, and one obtains a constant tightening which one could not have with elastic latching lugs forming part of a molded accessory, like c ' was the case for the prior art.

 We will now describe the organs arranged on the other side of the aforementioned accessory, that is to say the means provided for receiving an electrical appliance.

 The receiving means 120 comprise latching members 121 which are compatible with conventional systems for snap fastening of the symmetrical or asymmetrical type, and / or screwing members which are compatible with conventional screwing systems.

 In FIGS. 1 and 2, there can be seen, in the lower part of the accessory 100, a tab 123 ending in two projecting returns facing up and down respectively 124 and 125. In the upper part of the accessory, there is distinguishes a tab 117 which, in the present case, only presents a projecting return 119 turned downwards.

This upper tab 117 could be completed by an upward-facing projecting return, which would be in the plane of returns 124 and 125, with the same conformation as this latter return 125: however, as will be explained below, it is more advantageous to provide that such a return is part of an adapter piece removably mounted on the accessory, which allows, when the electrical appliance is snap-fastened of the asymmetrical type, not to use the part d 'adaptation, and thereby significantly reduce the overall height of the accessory.

 FIG. 7 illustrates the mounting on the accessory 100 (which is here fixed on an asymmetrical DIN rail 20) of an electrical appliance 50 equipped with a known latching system of asymmetrical type. Such an apparatus has in the upper part a V-shaped groove 51, and, in the lower part, a mechanical compression attachment system 52 (the precise geometry of this compression system differs according to the manufacturers, but the operation does not change). In this case, the groove 51 which is in the form of a V receives the return 119, while the system 52 is maintained by the return 124. In FIG. 2, an arrow has been referenced 201 which symbolizes the direction of approach of the device towards the face of use of the accessory. For this purpose, it will be noted that the leading edges of the returns concerned 119 and 124 are chamfered, at angles noted a and b in FIG. 2, which are preferably equal to 450 The mounting of such an apparatus 50 is easily carried out by first positioning the upper groove 51 against the return 119, then by tilting the apparatus (as shown schematically by the arrow 203), until that the deformable tab system 52 exceeds the return 124.

The electrical appliance 50 thus snaps onto the accessory as if this appliance was snapped directly onto an asymmetrical type rail, the returns 119 and 124 of the accessory then fulfilling the function of the re-entrant asymmetrical returns.

 In the case of a symmetrical snap-on electrical appliance, two coplanar projecting returns should be used, constituting the counterparts of the projecting returns of a symmetrical profile. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the corresponding return, formed in the upper part and turned upwards, is part of an adapter piece removably mounted on the accessory.

 If one refers to Figures 8 to 10, there is thus an adaptation piece 150, which is constituted by a plate 151 extended by a bracket whose two branches are referenced 152 and 153. The free branch 153 constitutes the return which intervenes for the latching of an electrical appliance with symmetrical ratchet type. The adaptation piece 150 is easily placed on the accessory described above, by inserting the plate 151 from above by an associated slot 118 of said accessory, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 204.

 The figure illustrates the mounting on the accessory 100 equipped with its adapter piece 150 (and here fixed on an asymmetrical DIN rail 20), an electrical device 60 (shown in dashed lines), equipped with a system of 'snap known symmetrical type. The electrical apparatus 60 comprises in the upper part, a return defining a groove 61 in the form of an inverted V, and, in the lower part, a mechanical system for hooking by compression 62. The return 153 of the adaptation piece 150 is thus received in the groove 61 of the device 60, while the return 125 cooperates with the mechanical system of snap-fastening by compression 62. For the installation of the electrical device 62, it suffices thus first to hang the upper part of the device on the upward-facing return 153, then rotate said device (as shown by the arrow 205), until the mechanical snap-in system 62 cooperates with the downward-facing return 125. Once the electrical device 60 is in place, a certain compression is exerted vertically on the return 153, but the corresponding forces are absorbed by pressing the plate 151 against the facing facet 126 of the body of the ac cessoire 100. It is thus ensured that the accessory equipped with its adapter piece has sufficient mechanical rigidity.

 Furthermore, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the free branch 153 forming the upper return has, at each of its longitudinal ends, a boss 154: these two bosses serve to laterally hold the electrical device 60 put in place, the side edges of said device can not exceed one or the other of these bosses. Furthermore, it will be noted that the leading edge 155 of the free branch 153 is also chamfered, here at 45, like the leading edges of the aforementioned returns.

 When using electrical appliances, the fixing of which is by screwing, it is advisable to provide screwing members on the fixing accessory which are compatible with conventional systems of fixing by screwing.

 According to a first possibility, it is possible to provide an adapter plate specially designed for attaching devices of the screw type, said plate completing the aforementioned accessory. Such a variant is illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14.

 We thus distinguish, in Figures 12 and 13 an adapter piece consisting of a plate 133 having four diagonal lights 134, in accordance with a well known arrangement for mounting screwable devices. A nut (not shown) is in fact inserted in each diagonal lumen, in order to fix the device. The plate 133 has on the rear face a lower tab 135 whose end 137 of rounded shape, ends in a lower transverse groove 136. An upper tab 138 likewise has a transverse groove turned upward 139. The tabs 138 and 135 allow direct locking of the plate 133 on the accessory, by cooperation with the returns 119 and 124 of the latter, as can be seen in FIG. 14 which illustrates the complete assembly. In this figure, there are indeed the accessory 100 equipped with its plate 133, and here fixed on an asymmetrical DIN rail 20. The installation of the plate 133 is carried out in the same way as the installation of an electrical appliance equipped with a system asymmetrical type of snap-fitting: in fact, it suffices to set up the upper return 119 in the groove 139 of the tab 138, then to rotate the plate 133 (as shown schematically by the arrow 206), until the head has rounded 137 of the tab 135 exceeds the return 124, which return is then received in the groove 136. The plate 133 can receive an electrical device 70 (shown in dashed lines), the fixing of which is carried out by screwing using four cage nuts inserted into the diagonal lights 134, in accordance with a well-known arrangement.

The electrical device 70 can be placed on the plate 133 before mounting it on the accessory 100, this to facilitate the attachment of the device on its plate.

 As a variant, the screwing members 102, with plate 133 fitted with diagonal lights 134, constitute a one-piece assembly with the rest of the accessory: such a variant is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

 In this case, the body 101 of the accessory and the plate 133 therefore constitute a one-piece assembly, which assembly can be fixed on an asymmetrical DIN rail 20 as shown in FIG. 16. The plate 133 can then receive an electrical appliance 70, just like the previously described plate which was part of an adaptation part. The establishment of this one-piece assembly on the rail 20 is carried out in the same way as above, by rotating said assembly (as shown schematically by the arrow 207), until the cut annular spring or springs realize 1 ' desired snap.

 In a variant, it is possible to provide a plate 133 fitted laterally with two identical accessory bodies 101, this when significant stability is desired, in the case of screwable devices of significant weight.

 Figures 7,11,14,16 which have been used to illustrate various assemblies of electrical apparatus represent an accessory which is fixed on a rail 20 of asymmetrical type.

it goes without saying, however, that a mounting can be obtained on a symmetrical type rail (fixing illustrated in FIG. 4), or on a perforated plate (fixing illustrated in FIG. 6). The accessory of the invention thus provides the fitter with maximum flexibility, since he can choose three different types of metal supports, and, for each support, three types of fixings for electrical devices (snap-fastening of symmetrical or asymmetrical type, or screwing).

 Finally, by additionally providing an adapter piece removably designed for the case of a symmetrical snap-on electrical appliance, it is possible to avoid any unnecessary excess thickness when the assembler sets up electrical appliances including the fixing system. is different. Thus, the fixing accessory according to the invention provides the assembler with maximum flexibility, while allowing optimal use of the height available for his installation.

 The invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, but on the contrary encompasses any variant incorporating, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics set out above.

Claims (10)

1 / Attachment accessory for electrical devices, comprising on one side snap-fastening means for attaching the accessory to a metal support of the rail or perforated plate type, and on the opposite side means for receiving an electrical device, characterized in that - the latching means (102) comprise at least one cut annular spring (107), a portion of which including the circumferential clearance (e) defined by the cut is received in a groove in an arc of a circle (106) provided for this purpose on the accessory (100) being arranged in such a way that the plane of this annular spring is essentially parallel to the latching direction (200), said annular spring being compressed by an edge (25; 31) of the metal support (20; 30) when snap-fastening and ensuring after snap-fastening this edge; - The receiving means (120) comprise latching members (121) which are compatible with conventional systems of fixing by snap-fastening of the symmetrical or asymmetrical type, and / or screwing members (122) which are compatible with the system s conventional screw fixing. 2 / accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises on the rear face a projecting block (105) having two grooves in an arc (106) identical each receiving a cut annular spring (107) for a tightening of the metal support (20; 30) at two offset points. 3 / accessory according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the or each cut annular spring (107) is held in its groove in an arc (106) by a point (109) thereof which is bent towards the outside in the plane of said spring, and which enters an associated blind hole (110) arranged at the bottom of the groove. 4 / accessory according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the latching means (102) are supplemented by transverse grooves (104; 112; 114,115) formed on associated projecting blocks (103; 111; 113), for fixing the accessory (100) on a metal rail of the symmetrical (10) or asymmetrical (20) type, or on a perforated plate (30). 5 / accessory according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the latching members (121) of the means provided for receiving an electrical appliance comprise, in the upper part and in the lower part, projecting returns (153,119,124,125) turned up and down, so as to define a first pair of returns (119,124) for fixing an electrical appliance with a symmetrical snap-on type, and a second pair of returns (153,125) for fixing a asymmetrical type snap-on electrical appliance (60). 6 / accessory according to claim 5, characterized in that the return (153) which is formed in the upper part and which is turned upwards, is part of an adapter piece (150) removably mounted. 7 / accessory according to claim 6, characterized in that the adapter piece (150) is constituted by a plate (151) extended by a bracket (152,153) whose free branch (153) constitutes the aforementioned return, said plate being insertable from above into an associated slot (118) of the accessory.  8 / accessory according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the leading edges of the various returns (153,119,124,125) are chamfered, for example at 450. 9 / accessory according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a pair of returns (119,124) is used to snap-fit a plate (133) with diagonal lights (134) to allow the attachment of a device electric (70) of the screw type. 10 / accessory according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it exclusively comprises screwing members (122), arranged in the form of a plate (133) with diagonal lights (134) which is in one piece with the remaining of the accessory.