Electrical connection box for electrical conductors having different cross-sections

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a connection box for connecting at least a first and a second electrical conductor 5a, 5b having different cross-sections, comprising a base 1 and a cover 2 comprising a first and a second clamping edge, respectively, the cover 2 being movable relative to the base 1 with a first degree of freedom to pivot about an x-axis, between an open position and a closed position, and a second degree of freedom to pivot about a y-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis, allowing the second clamping edge to be angularly inclined relative to the first clamping edge. The box further comprises retaining elements secured to the cover 2 and retaining elements secured to the base 1, which cooperate with each other to retain the cover 2 relative to the base 1 by preventing the cover 2 from moving towards the open position.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS OF DIFFERENT SECTIONS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of electrical connection boxes for electrical conductors, which may be electrical wires or cables, of different sections, in particular in the field of wall or ceiling flush-mounted boxes.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connection box for electrical conductors of different cable cross-sections and in particular to the field of boxes embedded in various walls such as a wall panel or a ceiling panel. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Electrical boxes are used to make a connection between a device and electrical conductors, called a flush-mounted box, or between electrical conductors and other electrical conductors, often called a junction box or octopus. Each conductor can be an electrical wire comprising an electrical core and electrical insulation, or an electrical cable comprising a sheath extruded over the insulation of several electrical conductors, the wires. These electrical conductors can be protected by a removable sheath, also called an ICTA sheath, in which each electrical conductor is inserted, either during the electrical installation, or pre-inserted, called drawn sheaths, in which the electrical conductors can slide relative to each other in the removable sheath.

[0004] Electrical boxes are known comprising: a body comprising an external front or external base comprising means for fixing to a wall, a cover or hood closing an interior volume of the box, and electrical connectors comprising terminal blocks housed in the interior volume.

[0005] In the case of a flush-mounted electrical box, the external base also includes a fitting mechanism and electrical connector plugs allowing, by simply snapping the fitting onto this fitting mechanism, to be electrically connected to the electrical connector.

[0006] In addition, usually, the bodies of known electrical boxes include grommets, which generally fit into an opening in the body of the box. The grommets include an opening having a section corresponding to that of a sheath to introduce electrical wires into its interior volume. The sheath can be the cable sheath or the removable sheath surrounding the electrical conductors. The user can choose the size of the grommet having an opening section corresponding to that of the sheath. Some grommets include nuts for tightening the cable, other grommets need to be opened by cutting. All these methods are complicated to implement for the operator, particularly in the case of mounting at ceiling level which requires not losing parts during this operation.

[0007] The internal volume of the body of such an electrical box is reduced and it is not easy to house the switchgear mechanism in the case of a flush-mounted box. Therefore, the electrical connector and the ends of the electrical wires, including the insulation and potentially the sheath, were removed and pulled into the internal volume of the electrical box in order to connect them to the connector. In addition, the rigidity of the wires of each electrical conductor makes it difficult for the user to fold them into this volume to close the cover.

[0008] It is then known from the applicant's document WO2014177784, a flush-mounted box comprising a body and a cover pivotable relative to the body and pivoting connectors, making it possible to simplify the connection of each electrical wire to the corresponding terminal block of the connector. The cover comprises in particular a notch, an end piece adapted to the notch mounted on a removable sheath and electrical wires previously inserted into the cover. The end piece is configured for a precise section of the removable sheath and for the passage of the cover. However, this flush-mounted box is not suitable for electrical cables without sheath removable or coming from several removable sheaths and does not allow the insertion of several electrical conductors with different sections.

[0009] Also known are junction type connection boxes for two electric wires having different shaped sections comprising an electric conductor comprising a projection on the insulation to be held in a notch of the junction box which has a corresponding shape of the projection. However, such a junction box requires a complex and unconventional shape of the electric wire.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a connection box that allows different electrical conductors (wires and / or cables) of circular sections to be connected quickly and easily. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above, by allowing a cover to pivot relative to the body, adapting to the different sections of electrical conductors such as cables or wires.

[0012] One aspect of the invention relates to a connection box for connecting at least a first and a second electrical conductor of different cross-sections. The box comprises: a base forming a housing, the base comprises a first pinching edge, a connector comprising a plurality of connection plugs secured to the base and housed in the housing to each connect to a core of one of the electrical conductors and a conductor pinching cover, movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the base to close the housing, comprising a second pinching edge located closest to the first pinching edge of the base, in the closed position of the cover, retaining elements secured to the cover and retaining elements secured to the base cooperating together to retain the cover relative at the base by preventing movement of the cover towards the open position, in a clamping position in order to be able to clamp at least the first and the second electrical conductors sandwiched between the second pinching edge of the cover and the first pinching edge of the base.

[0013] The housing is characterized in that it comprises between the cover and the base: at least one degree of pivot freedom along a first axis of rotation allowing the cover to pivot from the open position to the closed position, and at least one second degree of pivot freedom along a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis of rotation allowing the cover to tilt angularly relative to the base to angularly tilt the second pinching edge relative to the first pinching edge, in the clamping position, according to the difference in cross-section size of the electrical conductors.

[0014] Thanks to the invention, the cover adapts to the different sections of the electrical conductors by positioning itself in the clamping position. Indeed, the degree of inclination along the pivot axis of the second degree of freedom is achieved according to the difference in section of the electrical conductor having the smallest section and the electrical conductor having the largest section as well as their location. If the electrical conductors have the same section, the cover can, depending on the shape of each zone of the two pinching edges pinching the corresponding electrical conductor, have its first pivot axis parallel to a straight line passing through two ends of the edge of the base.

[0015] In the case of two electrical conductors of different cross-sections, the pivoting hood can tilt according to the difference in height between the two electrical conductors, bearing against the pinching edge of the hood, so as to clamp the two electrical conductors of different cross-sections in the clamping position. The two degrees of freedom make it possible to pivot from the open position to a clamping position of the hood by having the pinching edge against an electrical conductor having a first cross-section and against another electrical conductor having a second section different from the first section.

[0016] In the case of several electrical conductors, depending on the shape of the pinching edge areas, it may be necessary to arrange the electrical conductors next to each other in increasing cross-sectional size and thus allow the hood holding elements to be used in a clamping position clamping each electrical conductor.

[0017] The retaining elements allow the hood to be locked in the appropriate clamping position depending on the cross-sections of the electrical conductors.

[0018] The clamping position is according to the different sections between the closed position excluded and the open position excluded.

[0019] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the connection box according to one aspect of the invention may have one or more additional characteristics among those described in the following paragraphs, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the second axis of rotation is movable relative to the first axis of rotation in a longitudinal direction of the cover parallel to the first axis of rotation, in a plane comprising the first axis of rotation, and the first axis of rotation is movable in a plane perpendicular to the second axis of rotation: this makes it possible to use the electrical conductor having the largest section as a contact point for the cover while avoiding obtaining a cover or a base comprising a complex double pivot shaft connection in series of the cover and the base;

[0021] According to a variant of the previous embodiment, the housing comprises: a first pivot connection forming the first axis of rotation between the base or the cover, and a second pivot link mounted between the first rotation axis and respectively the cover or the base, forming the second pivot axis.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first degree of freedom is formed by a first connecting stud on one side and the second degree of connection is formed by a slide in which the first connecting stud can slide in a transverse direction orthogonal to the first and second axes of rotation to allow the first connecting stud to pivot the first axis of rotation in a plane orthogonal to the second axis of rotation. The sliding connection makes it possible to modify the inclination of the first axis of rotation and therefore the inclination of the hood, according to the second axis in a simple and solid manner;

[0023] According to an example of this embodiment, the housing comprises a ball joint or annular linear connection between the base and the cover located opposite the slide connection forming with the first pivot shaft the first degree of freedom and forming with the slide the second degree of freedom. In this case, a single slide connection is formed on one side, it is therefore necessary to arrange the electrical conductor having the largest section closest to the fixed pivot connection and the electrical conductor having the smallest section closest to the sliding pivot connection in the slide connection to allow them to be clamped between the first and second pinching edges;

[0024] According to an example of this embodiment, the housing comprises a third degree of freedom including a sliding connection following the transverse direction between the cover and the base, comprising at least one second connecting pad arranged opposite the first connecting pad, and mounted in a second slide following the transverse direction between the cover and the base. This makes it possible to use the electrical conductor having the largest section as a contact point and as a pivot point for the second pivot axis;

[0025] According to one embodiment, the cover comprises an elastically deformable covering wall when one of the retaining elements of the cover is tightened relative to the base by means of the second degree of freedom, the covering wall deforms when three electrical conductors are positioned between the first and second pinching edges so that the first and second pinching edges compress the electrical conductor having the smallest cross-section, the electrical conductor having the smallest cross-section being located between one of the other two electrical conductors, and the retaining element fixing the cover to the base. This makes it possible to clamp more than two electrical conductors, some of which have the same cross-section of a larger size than the other electrical conductors. Indeed, when one or more retaining elements are clamped on each side and the wall is pressed against one of the electrical conductors having the largest cross-section of the other neighboring electrical conductors of smaller cross-sections, the wall will elastically deform by bending until the first and second pinching edges compress one of the other electrical conductors of smaller cross-section;

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first and / or second pinching edge and the cover comprise circular concave shaped indentations of different sizes corresponding to different sections of electrical conductors. This makes it possible on the one hand to encourage placement of an electrical conductor according to its section at a precise location and on the other hand to improve the holding;

[0027] According to one embodiment, the cover or the base comprises, on each side in a longitudinal direction, a first and a second connecting stud located opposite the pinching edge of the cover in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the base or the cover comprises, respectively, on each side in the longitudinal direction, a slide in which the corresponding connecting stud slides pivoting the first axis of rotation according to the second axis of rotation;

[0028] According to one embodiment: the base comprises a perimeter surrounding a housing, comprising: the first and second slides located on each side in the longitudinal direction, and the first pinching edge extending in the longitudinal direction is located opposite the slides in the lateral direction, the cover comprises: a covering wall covering the housing of the base in the closed position, a first connecting arm extending laterally from the covering wall opposite the second pinching edge), comprising at its end the first connecting stud sliding in the first slide of the base, a second connecting arm extending laterally from the covering wall in the closed position, located opposite the first connecting arm in the longitudinal direction, the second connecting arm comprising the second connecting stud sliding in the second slide of the base, a first wall extending longitudinally in the closed position,along an inner surface of the covering wall and between 70 degrees and 110 degrees from the inner surface toward and into the base housing in the closed position, the first wall comprising, opposite the covering wall, the second pinch edge extending along the free edge of the wall.,

[0029] According to an example of this embodiment, the hood comprises a second wall located between the first wall and an edge of the covering wall extending between the first and second arms, the second wall extending longitudinally along the inner surface and between 70 degrees and 110 degrees from the inner surface towards and into the base housing in the closed position, the second wall comprising, opposite the covering wall, a positioning edge extending along the free edge of the wall.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the hood and the base each include clips for clipping to each other in a predetermined position. corresponding to the case of the position of the cover furthest from the closed position in contact with the conductor having the largest section adapted to the housing, and in that the clamping position is located between the predetermined position and the closed position.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the connection box is a flush-mounting box, the box comprising: an external mounting body comprising: an internal surface for being pressed against a wall, an equipment surface opposite the internal surface comprising mounting clips configured to receive an equipment, the base of the box extending from the internal surface, an opening, forming with the base an equipment housing, the periphery extending around the opening from the internal surface, the base comprising: a connection wall extending inside the periphery by closing the housing opposite the cover and forming the bottom of the equipment housing, the electrical connector comprising electrical plugs for connecting to the equipment passing through the connection wall, forming the bottom of the equipment housing.

[0032] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention.

[0034] [Fig. 1 A] represents a three-dimensional exploded view of a connection box according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035] [Fig. 1 B] represents a three-dimensional exploded view of a cover of the connection box of Fig. 1 A;

[0036] [Fig. 2A] represents a three-dimensional view of the connection box of Fig. 1A with the cover in an open position;

[0037] [Fig. 2B] represents a top view of the connection box of Fig. 2A;

[0038] [Fig. 2C] represents a view along a section AA of figure 2B;

[0039] [Fig. 2D] represents a three-dimensional view of the connection box of Fig. 1A with the cover in a predetermined position;

[0040] [Fig. 2E] represents another three-dimensional view of the connection box of Fig. 2A with the cover in a closed position;

[0041] [Fig. 2F] represents a bottom view of the connection box of Fig. 2A;

[0042] [Fig. 3A] represents a three-dimensional view of the connection box of Fig. 1A with the cover in a clamping position with two electrical conductors;

[0043] [Fig. 3B] shows a top view of the connection box of Fig. 1A with the cover in a clamping position with two electrical conductors;

[0044] [Fig.3C] represents a view along a MM section of figure 3B;

[0045] [Fig.3D] represents a view along a LL section of figure 3B;

[0046] [Fig.4A] represents a three-dimensional view of the connection box of Figure 1A with the cover in a predetermined position with three electrical conductors;

[0047] [Fig.4B] shows a three-dimensional view of the connection box of Figure 4A with the cover in a clamping position with three electrical conductors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention.

[0049] For the understanding of the invention, an orthogonal reference XYZ indicated in the figures will be adopted, according to which the X axis extends in a first direction called longitudinal, the Y axis in a second direction called lateral, and the Z axis extends in a third direction called transverse. Thus, a side wall extends at least in the second direction Y.

[0050] [Fig. 1 A] represents a connection box configured to connect at least a first and a second electrical conductors of different sections, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0051] The housing comprises a base 1 comprising a perimeter 11 forming a housing 10. In this example, the perimeter 11 is rectangular in shape and comprises first and second side walls 11a, 11b, a front wall 11c and a rear wall 11d.

[0052] The base 1 comprises at least one first pinching edge 110c, in this example formed by a free edge of the front wall 11C of the perimeter 11.

[0053] The housing comprises an electrical connector 5 comprising a plurality of connection plugs secured to the base 1 housed in the housing 10 to each connect to a core 51 a, 51 b of one of the electrical conductors 5a, 5b, 5c shown in FIGS. 3A to 4B.

[0054] The housing comprises a cover 2 for clamping an electrical conductor, also called a cable clamp, shown alone in Figure 1B. By cable clamp is meant that it allows electrical conductors such as electrical wires, electrical cables or both to be clamped. The housing comprises between the cover 2 and the base 1, at least one connection according to a pivoting degree of freedom according to a first axis of rotation x extending in a first longitudinal direction X and at least a second pivoting degree of freedom according to an axis of rotation y extending in a lateral direction Y perpendicular to the first axis of rotation x and allowing the cover 2 to tilt angularly relative to the base 1. In this embodiment, the second axis of rotation y is movable relative to the first axis of rotation x in the longitudinal direction X of the cover 2 while remaining perpendicular to the first axis of rotation in a plane comprising the first axis of rotation x. The second axis of rotation is shown in Figure 1 B in one position but can also be located at the same location as the axis referenced y'.

[0055] The first axis of rotation x located between the cover 2 and the base 1 allows the cover 2 to be movable relative to the base 1 by pivoting from an open position as shown in Figure 2A to a closed position as shown in Figure 2E, closing the housing 10. The cover 2 thus comprises a covering wall 21, which, in the closed position of the cover 2, covers the housing 10 of the base 1. The covering wall 21 is in this case elastically deformable to flex along the second axis of rotation y.

[0056] In this example of this embodiment, the first axis of rotation x is movable in a plane perpendicular to the plane formed by the first and second axes of rotation x, y.

[0057] [Fig. 2A] shows the connection box of Fig. 1A mounted and in an open position.

[0058] [Fig. 2E] shows the connection box of Figure 1A mounted and in a closed position.

[0059] The hood 2 comprises at least one second pinching edge 20i located opposite the first pinching edge 110c of the base 1, in the closed position. More precisely, the second pinching edge 20i corresponds to the part of the hood 2 closest to the middle of the first pinching edge 110c, in the closed position.

[0060] The cover 2 comprises, in this example, a first wall 20 extending along and from an internal surface 21i of the covering wall 21 and at an angle of between 70 degrees and 110 degrees relative to the internal surface 21i towards and into the housing 10 of the base 1, in the closed position. The first wall 20 comprising, opposite the covering wall 21, the second pinching edge 20i extending along the free edge of the wall. The internal surface 21i is the surface of the cover 2 delimiting the housing 10.

[0061] The second axis of rotation y allows the second pinching edge 20i of the cover 2 to tilt angularly, as visible in FIG. 3A, relative to the first pinching edge 110c in a clamping position according to the difference in size of sections of the electrical conductors 5a, 5b, 5c, two of which are shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, and three of which are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0062] [Fig. 3A] and [Fig.4B] each show the housing with the cover 2 in the clamping position with a first electrical conductor 5a, a second electrical conductor 5b, and in Fig. 4B, a third electrical conductor 5c. The electrical conductors 5a, 5b are each compressed between and by the first and second pinching edges 1 10c. In this example, each electrical conductor 5a, 5b is an electrical wire comprising an insulator 50a, 50b and a conductive core 51a, 51b.

[0063] In the case of electrical conductors 5a, 5b, 5c of different cross-sectional sizes, the second axis of rotation y is, depending on the positions of the electrical conductor(s) 5a, 5b, 5c, between the first and second pinch edges 1 10c, 20i having the largest cross-sectional size. The angle is depending on the distance and the difference in size of the smallest and largest cross-sectional areas of these two electrical conductors 5a, 5b.

[0064] In the example shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the second electrical conductor 5b has the largest cross-section, and in the example shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the second electrical conductor 5b and the third electrical conductor 5c each have the same cross-section (same diameter) which is greater than the cross-section of the first electrical conductor 5a.

[0065] In this example of this embodiment, the first degree of freedom is formed by a first connecting pad 2a on a lateral side of the housing and the second degree of connection is formed by a first slide 1a in which the first connecting pad 2a can slide in the transverse direction Z orthogonal to the first and second axes of rotation x, y. The first connecting pad 2a can pivot along the first axis of rotation x and slide in the slide 2a in the third direction Z allowing pivoting according to the sections of electrical conductors and the cover 2 can pivot along the first axis of rotation y. Here, in this example, the cover 2 includes the first connecting pad 2a and the base 1 includes the first slide 1a, but this could be reversed.

[0066] In this example, in particular, the housing comprises a third degree of freedom including a sliding connection along the third direction Z between the cover 2 and the base 1. The housing thus comprises at least one second connecting stud 2b opposite the first connecting stud 2a, mounted in a second slide 1b along the third direction Z between the cover 2 and the base 1. The second connecting stud 2b can thus slide in the second slide 1b and pivot along the first axis of rotation x passing through the first and second connecting studs 2a, 2b. Here, in this example, the cover 2 comprises the second connecting stud 2a and the base 1 comprises the second slide 1a but this could be reversed. Each slide 1a, 1b is in this example a groove, but could be a slot, comprising at its ends a rounded edge for the rotation of the corresponding connecting stud 2a, 2b at both ends of the corresponding slide 1a, 1b.

[0067] The cover 2 comprises, in this example, a first connecting arm 22a extending from the covering wall 21 in the lateral direction in the closed position, comprising at its end the first connecting stud 2a sliding in the first slide 1a of the base 1. The cover 2 comprises, on the other side in the longitudinal direction X, a second connecting arm 22b extending from the covering wall 21 in the lateral direction in the closed position, comprising the second connecting stud 2b sliding in the second slide 1b of the base 1. The first and second arms 22a, 22b are therefore located on either side of the wall 21 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0068] In this example, each stud 2a, 2b comprises a chamfered portion, making it easier to assemble the connection between the cover and the base by elastically deforming each arm 22a, 22b of the cover 2 when inserting each stud 2a, 2b into the corresponding slide 1a, 1b.

[0069] Each connecting pad 2a, 2b is therefore mounted with play in the slide 1a, 1b, allowing the three degrees of freedom to be achieved.

[0070] According to another example not shown, opposite the first connecting pad 2a, the housing comprises a pad of at least half-spherical shape mounted in a housing of identical shape to produce a ball joint connection between the cover 2 and the base 1. This solution has only two degrees of freedom and requires specifically placing electrical conductors of different section sizes to compress them. The example of this embodiment shown with the third degree of freedom makes it possible to move the second axis of rotation y, in order to adapt to the locations of the conductors of different section sizes.

[0071] The housing further comprises retaining elements 3 integral with the cover 2 and retaining elements 13 integral with the base 3 cooperating together to retain the cover 2 in the clamping position relative to the base 1.

[0072] These retaining elements 13 thus prevent a movement of the cover 2 towards the open position, in the clamping position by clamping at least the first and second electrical conductors 5a, 5b sandwiched between the second pinching edge 20i and the first pinching edge 110c.

[0073] In this example of this embodiment, the retaining elements 3 secured to the cover 2 are a first and a second screw 3a, 3b and a first and a second hole 23a, 23b of the cover 2 each crossed by the corresponding first and second screw 3a, 3b. The retaining elements 13 secured to the base 3 are a first and a second hole 13a, which may be tapped or smooth, each extending in a third direction Z perpendicular to the first and second directions X, Y, and each located on a lateral end of a wall of the first and second lateral walls 11a, 11b corresponding to the side of the front face 11c. In the case of a smooth hole 13a, 13b, the screws are preferably self-forming.

[0074] In this case, the first and second side walls 11a, 11b each comprise a flat surface and a cylindrically shaped projection relative to the flat surface comprising the tapped hole 13a, 13b.

[0075] As shown in Figure 2E, the first and second screws 3a, 3b are each fully screwed into, respectively, the first and second tapped holes 13a, 13b, and the cover 2, in the closed position. In this closed position, the first and second pinch edges 1 10c, 20a may be in contact with each other.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3A, the cover 2 of the housing is in the closed position with the first and second electrical conductors 5a, 5b pinched between the first and second pinching edges 1 10c, 20a. The first electrical conductor 5a has a smaller section than that of the second electrical conductor 5b and at least two degrees of freedom, here three, the cover 2 is therefore inclined relative to the base 1 along the second axis of rotation y. The first screw 3a is therefore screwed more (further driven) into the first tapped hole 13a than the second screw 3b is screwed into the second tapped hole 13b. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 3D, the first screw 3a passes through the first hole 23a of the cover 2 and is screwed into the tapping of the first tapped hole 13a.

[0077] As illustrated in Figure 4B, the cover 2 of the housing is in the closed position with the first, second and third electrical conductors 5a, 5b pinched between the first and second pinching edges 110c, 20a. The first electrical conductor 5a has a smaller section than that of the other two electrical conductors 5b and 5c having an identical section, the covering wall 21 is elastically deformable and there are at least two degrees of freedom, here three, the covering wall 21 is therefore bent by having a portion 21a of the covering wall inclined relative to another portion 21b of the covering wall 21 substantially parallel to the first pinching edge 110c of the base 1. The delimitation between the two portions of the covering wall 21 is along the second axis of rotation y located at the level of the third electrical conductor 5c.The bent portion 21a of the covering wall 21 is therefore inclined along the second axis of rotation y. The first screw 3a is therefore screwed more (further driven) into the first tapped hole 13a than the second screw 3b is screwed into the second tapped hole 13b.

[0078] Furthermore, in this example, optionally, the housing 2 comprises clips 24a, 24b, 14a, 14b for clipping to each other and allowing the cover 2 to be positioned in a predetermined position, shown in FIGS. 2D and 4A, relative to the base 1. In this position, the retaining elements 3, 13 are not activated (here screwed). In this case, in this example, the cover 2 comprises two female clips 24a, 24b arranged on either side longitudinally relative to the covering wall 21 and each located in this case in alignment with the holes 23a, 23b of the retaining elements 3. In addition, the housing 1 comprises two male clips 14a, 14b arranged on either side longitudinally, in this case on the cylindrical projection forming the tapped holes 13a, 13b.The female clip 24a in this case comprises a tab comprising a light, but could be a groove, into which the male clip 14a, 14, enters by elastically deforming the tab of the female clip. This position makes it possible to close the cover 2 beforehand, to facilitate the installation of the user to then carry out the screwing of the screws without holding the cover 2. In this embodiment, the predetermined position is the position of the cover 2 corresponding to the case of the position of the cover 2 furthest from the closed position in contact with an electrical conductor 5a, 5b, 5c having the maximum cross-section size adapted to the housing, and the clamping position is located between the predetermined position and the closed position.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the retaining elements are a plurality of clips, for example a plurality of male clips located in series on the base 1, allowing the female clip to pass clip by clip until it is in the clamping position.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first and second pinching edges 1 10c, 20i of the cover 2 comprise circular concave shaped indentations of different sizes corresponding to different sections of electrical conductors. In this example, two successive indentations on the first and second pinching edges 1 10c, 20i have the same diameter greater than a third and final indentation.

[0081] In this embodiment, the cover 2 comprises a second wall 24 located between the first wall 20 and an edge of the wall of overlap 21 extending between the first and second arms 22a, 22b. The second wall 24 extends longitudinally along the inner surface 21i and between 70 and 110° from the inner surface 21i towards and into the housing 10 of the base 1, in the closed position. The second wall 24 comprises, opposite the covering wall 21, a positioning edge 24i extending along the free edge of the second wall 24.

[0082] In this example, the positioning edge 24i comprises two indentations arranged opposite the two indentations of larger section of the second pinching edge 24i. These two indentations of the positioning edge 2i have a smaller diameter than those of the indentations opposite. Each of these two indentations of the positioning edge 24i can make it possible, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, to assist in guiding the core 51b of the second and third electrical conductors 5b, 5c or of an electrical conductor, in particular a cable, to improve the tear resistance.

[0083] The base 1 further comprises a first intermediate wall passing through the first and second side walls 11a, 11b, of the perimeter 1 1 between the front wall 1 1 c and the rear wall 1 1 d forming a rear chamber 100, and the housing 10. The rear chamber 100 may allow an electronic device to be incorporated, for example an electronic control unit.

[0084] Furthermore, the cover 2 comprises a bottom wall 25 (referenced in FIG. 1 B) extending from and along the edge of the covering wall 21 and extending between the first and second arms 22a, 22b towards the third direction when the cover 2 is in the closed position. The cover 2 further comprises first and second side walls 25a, 25b, extending laterally from the bottom wall 25 to at least the second wall 24, and in this case to the first wall 20. The bottom wall 25, the first and second side walls 25a, 25b and the second wall 24 form an area closing the housing 10.

[0085] The bottom wall 25 comes into contact with the intermediate wall 15, in the closed position, and guides the cover 2 into the clamping position as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

[0086] In this example of this embodiment, the housing is a flush-mounting housing comprising an external mounting body 4 comprising an internal surface 4i configured to be pressed against a wall and an apparatus surface 4e referenced in FIG. 2F, opposite the internal surface 4i.

[0087] The outer surface 4e includes mounting clips 41, 42 for receiving an apparatus, the base 1 of the housing extending from the inner surface 4L

[0088] The external surface 4e includes mounting holes 43, 44 for fixing to the wall, for example in the form of a ceiling.

[0089] The external mounting body 4 comprises an opening 40, forming with the base 1 an apparatus housing.

[0090] The base 1 comprises a connecting wall 16 arranged inside the perimeter and connecting the walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d of the perimeter 11 by closing the housing 10 opposite the cover 2 and forming the bottom of the equipment housing 40.

[0091] According to another example not shown, the housing comprises, instead of the first and second studs and the slides, an annular linear connection located between the bottom wall 25 and the intermediate wall 15 to form the first pivot degree of freedom along the first axis of rotation (x), the second pivot degree of freedom along the second axis of rotation (y) and a third degree by the slide of the annular linear connection along the transverse direction Z (perpendicular to the other two longitudinal directions X and lateral Y.

[0092] According to yet another example not shown, the housing comprises instead of the first and second stud and the slides: a first rotation shaft according to the second degree of freedom extending in the lateral direction Y from the intermediate wall towards the first pinching edge and the cover being mounted to rotate articulated on the first rotation shaft according to the first degree of freedom. This solution is close to the solution with a ball joint on one of the two sides rather and therefore adapts less well to the different sections of conductors than that described previously and that represented with the two pads and the two slides.

[0093] Preferably in these two examples the connection is located in the middle along the longitudinal direction X of the bottom wall 25 and the intermediate wall 15.

[0094] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Connection box for connecting at least a first and a second electrical conductor (5a, 5b, 5c) of different sections, the box comprising: - a base (1) forming a housing (10) comprising a first pinching edge (1 10c), - a connector (5) comprising a plurality of connection plugs secured to the base (1) and housed in the housing (10) to each connect to a core (51 a, 51 b) of one of the electrical conductors (5a, 5b, 5c) and - a conductor pinching cover (2), movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the base (1) to close the housing (10), comprising a second pinching edge (20i) located as close as possible to the first pinching edge (110c) of the base (1), in the closed position of the cover (2), - retaining elements (3) integral with the cover (2) and retaining elements (13) integral with the base (1) cooperating together to retain the cover (2) relative to the base (1) by preventing movement of the cover (2) towards the open position, in a clamping position in order to be able to clamp at least the first and second electrical conductors (5a, 5b) sandwiched between the second pinching edge (20i) of the cover (2) and the first pinching edge (110c) of the base (1), - characterized in that it comprises between the cover (2) and the base (1): o at least one degree of pivot freedom along a first axis of rotation (x) allowing the cover to pivot from the open position to the closed position, and o at least one second degree of pivot freedom along a second axis of rotation (y) perpendicular to the first axis of rotation (x) allowing the cover (2) to tilt angularly relative to the base (1) to angularly tilt the second edge of pinching (20i) relative to the first pinching edge (1 10c), in the clamping position, according to the difference in cross-section size of the electrical conductors (5a, 5b, 5c).

2. Connection box according to claim 1, in which: - the second axis of rotation (y) is movable relative to the first axis of rotation (x) in a longitudinal direction (X) of the cover (2) parallel to the first axis of rotation (x), in a plane comprising the first axis of rotation (x), and - the first axis of rotation (x) is movable in a plane perpendicular to the second axis of rotation (y).

3. A connection box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first degree of freedom is formed by a first connecting pad (2a) on one side and the second degree of connection is formed by a slide (1a) in which the first connecting pad (2a) can slide in a transverse direction (Z) orthogonal to the first and second axes of rotation (x, y) to allow the first connecting pad (2a) to pivot the first axis of rotation (x) in a plane orthogonal to the second axis of rotation (y).

4. Connection box according to claim 3, comprising a third degree of freedom including a sliding connection in the transverse direction (Z) between the cover (2) and the base (1), comprising at least a second connecting pad (2b) arranged opposite the first connecting pad (2a), and mounted in a second slide (1b) in the transverse direction (Z) between the cover (2) and the base (1).

5. Connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (2) comprises a covering wall (21) elastically deformable when one of the retaining elements (3) of the cover (2) is tightened relative to the base (1) by means of the second degree of freedom, the covering wall (21) deforms when three electrical conductors (5a, 5b, 5c) are positioned between the first and second pinching edges (20a, 110c) so that the first and second pinching edges (20a, 110c) compress the conductor electrical conductor (5a, 5b, 5c) having the smallest section, the electrical conductor (5a) having the smallest section being located between one of the two other electrical conductors (5c), and the retaining element (13a) fixing the cover (2) to the base (1).

6. Connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and / or second pinching edge (110c, 20i) and of the cover (2) comprise circular concave shaped impressions of different sizes corresponding to different sections of electrical conductors (5a, 5b, 5c).

7. Connection box according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the cover (2) or the base (1) comprises, on each side in a longitudinal direction (X), a first and a second connecting stud (2a; 2b) located opposite the pinching edge (20i) of the cover (2) in a lateral direction (Y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (X), and - the base (1) or the cover (2) comprises, respectively, on each side in the longitudinal direction (X), a slide (1 a, 1 b) in which the corresponding connecting pad (2a, 2b) slides, pivoting the first axis of rotation (x) along the second axis of rotation (y).

8. Connection box according to the preceding claim in which: - the base (1) comprises a periphery (11) surrounding a housing (10), comprising: o the first and second slides (1a, 1b) located on each side in the longitudinal direction (X), and o the first pinching edge (110c) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) is located opposite the slides (1a, 1b) in the lateral direction (Y), , - the cover (2) comprises: o a covering wall (21) covering the housing (10) of the base (1) in the closed position, o a first connecting arm (22a) extending laterally from the covering wall (21) opposite the second pinching edge (20i), comprising at its end the first connecting stud (2a) sliding in the first slide (1a) of the base (1), o a second connecting arm (21b) extending laterally from the covering wall (21) in the closed position, located opposite the first connecting arm (21a) in the longitudinal direction, the second connecting arm (21b) comprising the second connecting stud (2b) sliding in the second slide (1b) of the base (1), o a first wall (20) extending longitudinally in the closed position, along an internal surface (21i) of the covering wall (21) and between 70 degrees and 110 degrees from the internal surface (21i) towards and in the housing (10) of the base (1 ) in the closed position, the first wall (20) comprising, opposite the covering wall (21),the second pinching edge (20i) extending along the free edge of the wall (20).,

9. Connection box according to the preceding claim in which the cover (2) comprises: - a second wall (24) located between the first wall (20) and an edge of the covering wall (21) extending between the first and second arms (22a, 22b), the second wall (24) extending longitudinally along the inner surface (21i) and between 70 degrees and 110 degrees from the inner surface (21i) towards and into the housing (10) of the base (1) in the closed position, the second wall (24) comprising, opposite the covering wall (21), a positioning edge (24i) extending along the free edge of the wall (24).

10. A connection box according to any preceding claim wherein the cover (2) and the base (1) each comprise clips (24a, 24b, 14a, 14b) for clipping to each other in a predetermined position corresponding to the case of the cover position furthest from the closed position in contact with the conductor having the most large section adapted to the housing, and in that the clamping position is located between the predetermined position and the closed position. [Claim 1 1 ] A connection box according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection box is a flush-mounting box, the box comprising - an external mounting body (4) comprising: o an internal surface (4i) configured to be pressed against a wall, o an equipment surface (4e) opposite the internal surface comprising mounting clips configured to receive an equipment, the base of the housing extending from the internal surface, o an opening (40), forming with the base (1) an equipment housing (40), the periphery (11) extending around the opening (10) from the internal surface (4i), - the base (1) comprising: o a connection wall (16) extending inside the perimeter by closing the housing (10) opposite the cover (2) and forming the bottom of the equipment housing (40), the electrical connector (5) comprising electrical plugs for connecting to the equipment passing through the connection wall (16), forming the bottom of the equipment housing (40).

Images