Electrical interconnection device between electrical equipment mounted in an electrical panel and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution busbar

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical interconnection device comprising a housing having a lower wall, an upper wall and side walls joining the upper and lower walls and defining with them an internal space, at least one of the lower and upper walls being configured to face the switchgear and having at least one first opening, one of the side walls being configured to face the busbar and having at least one second opening, an electrical interconnection module partially housed in the internal space and comprising at least one main connection pin extending out of the housing through the first opening and received in a main receiving terminal of the switchgear so as to interconnect the device to the switchgear, and at least one secondary connection terminal electrically connected to the main connection pin,arranged in the internal space opposite the second orifice, and configured to receive, through the second orifice, a secondary tooth of the comb so as to interconnect the device to the comb. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical interconnection device between electrical equipment mounted in an electrical panel and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution busbar. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical interconnection device between electrical equipment mounted in an electrical panel, such as a residual current device, and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb.

[0002] The invention also relates to an electrical system provided with main electrical equipment, such as residual current devices, and secondary electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, interconnected with each other using at least one such electrical interconnection device and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb, as well as an electrical panel comprising at least one such electrical system. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Electrical panels often include several rows of electrical equipment, including so-called main electrical equipment, such as residual current circuit breakers, and so-called secondary electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, which are interconnected with the main electrical equipment.

[0004] Each row may, for example, include secondary electrical equipment arranged according to a determined spacing and a main electrical equipment at the head of the row.

[0005] The main and secondary electrical equipment has connection terminals which are also arranged according to a determined spacing.

[0006] Electrical interconnection on the same row can be achieved using so-called horizontal distribution combs, while electrical interconnection of several rows can be achieved using so-called vertical distribution combs.

[0007] For example, several secondary electrical equipment on the same row can be interconnected with a main electrical equipment on that same row via horizontal distribution combs, while several main electrical equipment on separate rows can be interconnected via vertical distribution combs.

[0008] Each comb is provided with a rigid body from which protrude rigid teeth arranged at a determined distance from each other and configured to be inserted into connection terminals of the main and secondary electrical equipment.

[0009] The use of such distribution combs therefore requires the use of electrical equipment whose connection terminals all have a predetermined arrangement identical or complementary to the teeth of the combs.

[0010] When a main electrical equipment has connection terminals arranged in a predetermined arrangement different from that of the secondary electrical equipment, one solution is to use combs having arrangements specific to the arrangements of the different electrical equipment, as in patents EP 1 903 647 and EP 2 164 141.

[0011] Another solution described in patent application EP 4 148 920 is to use an electric current distributor having one or more removable distribution terminals. Description of the invention

[0012] The invention relates to an electrical interconnection device, which is particularly simple and convenient to use, and which can easily adapt to different arrangements of electrical equipment.

[0013] The invention thus relates, according to a first aspect, to an electrical interconnection device between an electrical device mounted in an electrical panel, such as a residual current device, and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb, comprising: a housing having a lower wall, an upper wall opposite the lower wall, and side walls joining the upper and lower walls and defining with the upper and lower walls an internal space of the housing, with at least one of the lower and upper walls being configured to face the electrical device and being provided with at least one first opening, and with at least one of the side walls being configured to face at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb and being provided with at least one second opening;and an electrical interconnection module at least partially housed within the internal space of the housing and comprising at least one main connection pin extending outward from the housing through at least one first hole and configured to be received in a main receiving terminal of the electrical equipment so as to interconnect the electrical interconnection device to the electrical equipment, and at least one secondary connection terminal electrically connected to at least one main connection pin, disposed within the internal space of the housing opposite at least one second hole, and configured to receive through at least one second hole a secondary tooth of at least one distribution comb; horizontal and / or vertical, so as to interconnect the electrical interconnection device to at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb.

[0014] In the electrical interconnection device according to the invention, both the housing and the electrical interconnection module are configured to be interconnected, respectively mechanically and electrically, with both a horizontal distribution comb and a vertical distribution comb, and also with the electrical equipment regardless of the position of the interconnection device relative to the latter.

[0015] The electrical interconnection device according to the invention is a unique and modular accessory which allows the electrical equipment to be directly interconnected with a horizontal distribution comb and / or with a vertical distribution comb.

[0016] In other words, the electrical interconnection device is configured so as to be adaptable to different types of electrical system arrangements in an electrical panel, while using simple and standard horizontal and / or vertical distribution combs.

[0017] Preferred, simple, convenient and economical characteristics of the electrical interconnection device according to the invention are presented below.

[0018] The other of the lower wall and the upper wall of the housing may be provided with at least one third hole, and the interconnection module may include, on the one hand, at least one additional connection pin extending opposite the at least one main connection pin and towards the at least one third hole and, on the other hand, at least one additional connection terminal which is housed in the housing, opposite the at least one third hole, and which receives the at least one additional connection pin, with the electrical interconnection device which is thus configured to receive through the at least one third hole, at least one electrical cable to be connected with the at least one additional connection terminal so as to interconnect the electrical interconnection device to the at least one electrical cable.

[0019] At least one additional connection terminal may be of the screw type and at least one of the side walls is provided with at least one fourth opening opposite at least one additional connection terminal for the passage of a tool for tightening and loosening the screw.

[0020] The housing may have several first openings provided in the upper wall and / or in the lower wall.

[0021] The housing may have several second openings provided in one or more side walls.

[0022] The housing may be provided with two half-shells secured to each other and at least one second opening is provided in one of the two half-shells and / or straddling the two half-shells.

[0023] At least one main connection pin may include a base portion housed in the housing and at least one connection extension extending from the base portion and through at least one first orifice.

[0024] The base portion may have, in section, substantially a U-shape.

[0025] The base portion may comprise a central wall and two lateral branches extending from the central wall and facing each other, with at least one connecting extension extending from one of the lateral branches.

[0026] The at least one main connection pin may include several connection extensions extending from the side branches in opposite directions, respectively towards the upper wall of the housing and through at least one first orifice and towards the lower wall of the housing to at least one additional connection terminal.

[0027] At least one secondary connection terminal is mechanically secured to the base portion of at least one primary connection pin.

[0028] At least one secondary connection terminal has a lyre-shaped connection member and has an inlet opening arranged opposite at least one second orifice.

[0029] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to an electrical system comprising at least one electrical interconnection device as described above, at least one main electrical equipment, such as a differential switch, provided with at least one main receiving terminal in which is received at least one main connection pin of at least one electrical interconnection device, and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb provided with at least one secondary tooth received in at least one secondary connection terminal of at least one electrical interconnection device.

[0030] The electrical system may include several secondary electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, and at least one horizontal distribution busbar electrically connected to the secondary electrical equipment, the system being configured to interconnect the main electrical equipment to the secondary electrical equipment via at least one horizontal distribution busbar and at least one electrical interconnection device.

[0031] The electrical system may include several main electrical devices, such as residual current circuit breakers, several electrical interconnection devices each electrically connected to a main electrical device, and at least one vertical distribution busbar electrically connected to each of the devices electrical interconnection, the system being thus configured to interconnect the main electrical equipment via at least one horizontal distribution comb and electrical interconnection devices.

[0032] The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to an electrical panel comprising at least one electrical system as described above and at least one mounting rail on which one or more main electrical devices and / or one or more secondary electrical devices are mechanically secured per row, the main electrical device(s) being at the head or tail of the row.

[0033] The electrical panel may include at least one horizontal distribution comb electrically connected to secondary electrical equipment on the same row, and at least one electrical interconnection device electrically connected to at least one horizontal distribution comb and to a main electrical equipment on the same row.

[0034] The electrical panel may include several electrical interconnection devices connected to main electrical equipment on different rows, and at least one vertical distribution comb electrically connected to each of the electrical interconnection devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] The invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, will be well understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, given by way of example and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] Fig. 1 schematically represents in perspective an electrical panel equipped with several electrical systems, each comprising at least one main electrical equipment and secondary electrical equipment interconnected by horizontal or vertical distribution combs and electrical interconnection devices according to the invention.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a partial view of Fig. 1, taken from a different angle, which shows in particular an electrical system made up of several electrical interconnection devices, horizontal distribution combs and vertical distribution combs.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a partial, isolated, exploded perspective view of a combination of an electrical interconnection device and horizontal distribution combs, visible in Fig. 2.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view isolated and exploded of another combination of several electrical interconnection devices and vertical distribution combs, also visible in Fig. 2.

[0040] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical interconnection device illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a perspective view, taken from below, of another electrical interconnection device illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0042] Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical interconnection device illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0043] The [Fig.8] is an isolated cross-sectional view showing either of the electrical interconnection devices.

[0044] Fig.9 is a view similar to that of Fig.8, the electrical interconnection device being interconnected with horizontal distribution combs.

[0045] Fig. 10 is also a similar view to that of Fig. 6, the electrical interconnection device being interconnected with vertical distribution combs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Fig. 1 schematically and partially illustrates an electrical panel 1 having a back wall 2 on which several mounting rails 3 are mechanically attached, only one of which is visible here.

[0047] The electrical panel 1 further comprises several electrical systems formed by one or more main electrical devices 4, of the type residual current switch, and secondary electrical devices 5, of the type circuit breaker, which are mounted in rows, in a general longitudinal direction, and which are mechanically secured on the mounting rails 3.

[0048] In the illustrated example, the electrical panel 1 has three superimposed rows and, on each of these rows are connected a main electrical equipment 4, a plurality of secondary electrical equipment 5 of a first type, and a plurality of secondary electrical equipment 5 of a second type.

[0049] Secondary electrical equipment 5 of the first type is here referred to as screw clamping, while that of the second type is referred to as automatic clamping.

[0050] The main electrical equipment 4 is mounted here at the top of each row.

[0051] The electrical systems of the electrical panel 1 are further provided with several electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10, several horizontal distribution combs 7 and several vertical distribution combs 8.

[0052] In particular, on the so-called upper row at the top of [Fig.1], one of the electrical interconnection devices 6 is interconnected with the main electrical equipment 4 and with horizontal distribution combs 7 which are themselves interconnected with the secondary electrical equipment 5 on this upper row.

[0053] The electrical panel 1 presents an electrical system with an identical arrangement on the so-called lower row at the bottom of [Fig.1] and also on the so-called central row, interposed between the upper row and the lower row.

[0054] In addition, on each of the upper and central rows, another of the electrical interconnection devices 9 is interconnected with the main electrical equipment 4 located on the corresponding row and with vertical distribution combs 8 which run along the height of the electrical panel 1, in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

[0055] Yet another of the electrical interconnection devices 10 is interconnected on the lower row to the vertical distribution combs 8 and to the main electrical switchgear 4 arranged here at the top on this lower row.

[0056] In other words, this means that in the illustrated example, the main electrical switchgear 4 mounted at the top of each row is interconnected directly at once with an electrical interconnection device 6 from the top of the main electrical switchgear 4, and with another electrical interconnection device 9 or 10 from the bottom of the main electrical switchgear 4.

[0057] In particular, as can be seen at least partially on [Fig.2], the main electrical switchgear 4 and the secondary electrical switchgear 5 are each provided with a body 12 having a front face 13 from which protrudes a reset lever 14 operable in particular by a user, a rear face 15 in which is provided a housing 16 configured to receive the mounting rail, an upper face 17 and a lower face 20 opposite the upper face 17, and in each of which are formed the main connection terminals 18 of the main electrical switchgear 4 and respectively the secondary connection terminals 19 of the secondary electrical switchgear 5, whether they are of the first type and the second type.

[0058] It will be noted that in the illustrated example, at least some of the secondary connection terminals 19 of the secondary electrical equipment 5 are arranged in an offset manner along the longitudinal direction to form here two rows of secondary connection terminals 19 at least on the upper faces 17 of the respective housings 12; whereas the main connection terminals 18 of the main electrical equipment 4 are not arranged in an offset manner along the longitudinal direction but are rather here in a line.

[0059] The secondary electrical equipment 5 is further arranged according to at least a determined spacing, so that the secondary connection terminals 19 are separated from each other by predetermined secondary distances.

[0060] The secondary electrical equipment 5 is here joined to each other and the secondary electrical equipment 5 immediately adjacent to the main electrical equipment 4 is joined to the latter.

[0061] The main connection terminals 18 of the main electrical equipment 4 are further arranged at a distance from each other and also at a distance from one of the secondary connection terminals 19 of the secondary electrical equipment 5 immediately adjacent to the main electrical equipment 4, these distances being able to be identical or different from the predetermined secondary distances.

[0062] As also visible in [Fig.2], the electrical interconnection device 6 configured to be electrically connected to the main connection terminals 18 on the upper face 17 of the body of the main electrical switchgear 4 is interconnected with two horizontal distribution combs 7 which are configured to interconnect with the two rows of secondary connection terminals 19 on the upper face 17 of the secondary electrical switchgear 5.

[0063] In addition, the electrical interconnection device 9 configured to be electrically attached to the main connection terminals 18 on the lower face 20 of the body of the main electrical switchgear 4 is interconnected with two vertical distribution combs 8 which are configured to interconnect with the other electrical interconnection devices 9 and 10, themselves configured to be electrically attached to the main connection terminals located on the lower faces of the bodies of the respective main electrical switchgear (not visible in [Fig.2]).

[0064] As can also be seen in [Fig.2], the electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10 are configured to be electrically interconnected with the main electrical switchgear 4 by the cooperation of the main connection pins 41 of the electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10 with the respective main connection terminals 18 of the main electrical switchgear 4.

[0065] In addition, the horizontal distribution combs 7 are configured to be electrically interconnected with the secondary electrical switchgear 5 by the cooperation of the main teeth 23 of the horizontal distribution combs 7 with the respective secondary connection terminals 19 of the secondary electrical switchgear 5.

[0066] We will now describe in more detail, with reference to figures 3 to 10, the horizontal distribution combs 7, the vertical distribution combs 8, the electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10, and their cooperation.

[0067] In [Fig. 3], each horizontal distribution comb 7 extends globally longitudinally and is provided with a rigid body 22, here insulated by a sheath, and rigid main teeth 23 which are not insulated and project from the rigid body 22 and globally transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the horizontal distribution comb 7 extends, and a rigid secondary tooth 24, here formed by a terminal portion projecting from the rigid body 22 and extending in the same longitudinal direction in which the horizontal distribution comb 7 extends.

[0068] The main teeth 23 are arranged at least a determined distance from each other.

[0069] The electrical interconnection device 6 comprises a housing 30 having first orifices (not visible) from which protrude the main connection pins 41, and second orifices 32 for receiving the rigid secondary teeth 24 of the horizontal distribution combs 7.

[0070] The housing 30 is here formed by two half-shells 33, 34 and has a lower wall 35, an upper wall 36 opposite the lower wall 35, and lateral walls 37 joining the upper walls 36 and lower walls 35 and defining with the latter an internal space of the housing 30.

[0071] On [Fig.3], the main connecting pins 41 protrude from the lower wall 35, here downwards, and the second orifices 32 are provided in one of the side walls 37.

[0072] On [Fig.4], each vertical distribution comb 8 extends globally longitudinally and is provided with a rigid body 22, here insulated by a sheath, and rigid secondary teeth 24 not insulated and provided in projection from the rigid body 22 and globally transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the vertical distribution comb 8 extends.

[0073] The secondary teeth 24 are arranged at least a determined distance from each other, corresponding for example to the spacing of the mounting rails.

[0074] The two electrical interconnection devices 9 are similar to the electrical interconnection device 6 of [Fig.3], except that the main connection pins 41 protrude from the upper wall 36 of the housing 30 in which the first holes 31 are provided, rather than from its lower wall 35, and are therefore directed upwards rather than downwards.

[0075] It should be noted that, alternatively, the electrical interconnection devices 9 and 6 could be identical and simply used in a different orientation from each other.

[0076] The electrical interconnection device 10 differs from the electrical interconnection devices 9 in that one of the two half-shells 34 is deeper so that the internal space of the housing 30 is larger and allows to accommodate additional connection terminals 38, here of the screw type, accessible from one of the side walls 37.

[0077] Like the electrical interconnection devices 9, the main connection pins 41 of the electrical interconnection device 10 protrude from the upper wall 36 of the housing 30 and are therefore directed upwards.

[0078] We will describe in more detail the electrical interconnection devices 6 and 9 with reference in particular to [Fig.5].

[0079] As described above, the electrical interconnection devices 6 and 9 differ simply in the orientation of the main connection pins 41, which are directed downwards or upwards.

[0080] Figure 5 illustrates an electrical interconnection device 6, with the two half-shells 33, 34 which are spaced apart from each other, thus revealing the interior of the internal space of the housing 30.

[0081] The second orifices 32 are here formed by notches made straddling the two half-shells 33, 34 in one of the lateral walls 37.

[0082] The first openings (not visible here) are formed in the lower wall 35.

[0083] The housing 30 is provided with a separating wall 39 formed here in projection from the upper wall 36 and extending into the internal space.

[0084] The electrical interconnection device 6 includes an electrical interconnection module 40 which is at least partially housed in the internal space of the housing 30 and which includes the main connection pins 41 as well as secondary connection terminals 50, which are configured to receive the secondary teeth of the horizontal and / or vertical distribution combs.

[0085] Each of the main connection pins 41 of the electrical interconnection module 40 here comprises a base portion 42 configured to be housed in the housing 30 and a connection extension 43 extending from the base portion 42 and configured to pass through one of the first (not visible) holes provided in the lower wall 35 of the housing 30.

[0086] In the illustrated example, the base portion 42 has, in section, substantially a U-shape.

[0087] The base portion 42 comprises a central wall 44 and two lateral branches 45, 46 extending from the central wall 44 and facing each other, with the connecting extension 43 extending from one of the lateral branches 46.

[0088] The base portion 42 further includes fixing tabs 47 provided on the central wall 44.

[0089] Each of the secondary connection terminals 50 here comprises a lyre-shaped connection member 51 and has an inlet opening 52 configured to be positioned opposite a second respective orifice 32.

[0090] In the illustrated example, each of the secondary connection terminals 50 further comprises a support 53 here in the shape of an L, on which the lyre-shaped connection member 51 is attached.

[0091] The lyre-shaped connecting member 51 can be made of the same material as the support 53.

[0092] The support 53 further includes an additional fixing hole 54 provided in a branch of the L, which branch of the L is configured to come to bear against the central wall 44 of the base portion 42 of a respective main connecting pin 41, with one of the fixing tabs 47 which is mechanically secured in the additional fixing hole 54.

[0093] The electrical interconnection module 40 is configured to be arranged in the internal space of the housing 30 so that the main connection pins 41 and the secondary connection terminals 50 are separated, two by two, by the separating wall 39 of the housing 30, with the connection extensions 43 of the main connection pins 41 which pass through the first (not visible) holes in the lower wall 35 and with the inlet openings 52 of the secondary connection terminals 50 which are opposite the second holes 32.

[0094] A similar description can be made of the electrical interconnection devices 9 visible in [Fig.2], with the exception of the orientation of the main connection pins 41 and therefore of the first holes 31 which are provided in the upper wall 36 rather than in the lower wall 35, and of the separating wall 39 which protrudes from the lower wall 35 rather than from the upper wall 36.

[0095] It should be noted that the second orifices 32 can be provided on one or more of the side walls 37 depending on the arrangement of the secondary connection terminals 50 and in particular the inlet openings 52 of the connection members 51.

[0096] We will describe in more detail the electrical interconnection device 10 with reference in particular to figures 6 and 7.

[0097] Like the electrical interconnection devices 9, the main connection pins 41 of the electrical interconnection device 10 protrude from the upper wall 36 of the housing 30, and the second orifices 32 configured to receive the secondary teeth of the vertical distribution combs are formed by notches provided in each half-shell 33, 34 and on one of the side walls 37 of the housing 30.

[0098] The half-shell 34 is deeper so that the internal space of the housing 30 is larger and allows for the accommodation of the additional connection terminals 38, here of the screw type, accessible both from third holes 55 provided in the lower wall 35 of the housing 30 and from one of the other side walls 37 of the housing 30 where fourth orifices are provided 56, next to which are mentioned inscriptions N and L for neutral and line.

[0099] Figure 7 illustrates the electrical interconnection device 10 with the two half-shells 33, 34 which are spaced apart from each other, thus revealing the interior of the internal space of the case 30.

[0100] The second orifices 32 are well formed by notches straddling the two half-shells 33, 34 in one of the lateral walls 37, while the first orifices 31 are well formed in the upper wall 36.

[0101] The separating wall (not visible) is also provided in projection from the upper wall 36 and extends into the internal space.

[0102] The electrical interconnection device 6 includes an electrical interconnection module 40 similar to that illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0103] In particular, the electrical interconnection module 40 is at least partially housed in the internal space of the housing 30 and includes main connection pins 41, secondary connection terminals 50 and also here secondary connection pins 49.

[0104] Each of the main connection pins 41 of the electrical interconnection module 40 has a base portion 42 configured to be housed in the housing 30 and a connection extension 43 extending from the base portion 42 and configured to pass through one of the first holes 31 provided in the upper wall 36 of the housing 30.

[0105] Each of the secondary connection pins 49 is formed by a complementary connection extension extending from the base portion 42, opposite the connection extension 43, to a respective complementary connection terminal 38.

[0106] In the illustrated example, the base portion 42 has, in section, substantially a U-shape.

[0107] The base portion 42 comprises a central wall 44 and two lateral branches 45, 46 extending from the central wall 44 and facing each other, with the connection extension 43 extending from the lateral branch 46 and the complementary connection extension forming a secondary connection pin 49 extending from the lateral branch 45.

[0108] The base portion 42 further includes fixing tabs 47 provided on the central wall 44.

[0109] Each of the secondary connection terminals 50 here comprises a lyre-shaped connection member 51 and has an inlet opening 52 configured to be positioned opposite a second respective orifice 32.

[0110] In the illustrated example, each of the secondary connection terminals 50 further comprises a support 53 here in the shape of an L, on which the lyre-shaped connection member 51 is attached.

[0111] The lyre-shaped connecting member 51 can be made of the same material as the support 53.

[0112] The support 53 further includes an additional fixing hole 54 provided in a branch of the L, which branch of the L is configured to come to bear against the central wall 44 of the base portion 42 of a respective main connecting pin 41, with one of the fixing tabs 47 which is mechanically secured in the additional fixing hole 54.

[0113] Each of the complementary connection terminals 38 is provided with a cage 58 defining a housing for receiving an electrical cable (not shown) and a screw 59 mechanically secured to the cage 58 and configured to pass through the cage 58 and enter the housing to clamp the electrical cable.

[0114] The cages 58 are located opposite the third holes (not visible) and the screws 59 are arranged opposite the fourth holes 56 for the passage of a tightening and loosening tool.

[0115] The electrical interconnection module 40 is configured to be arranged in the internal space of the housing 30 such that the main connection pins 41 and the secondary connection terminals 50 are separated, two by two, by the partition wall of the housing 30, with the connection extensions 43 of the main connection pins 41 passing through the first holes 31 of the upper wall 36, with the inlet openings 52 of the secondary connection terminals 50 located opposite the second holes 32 in one of the side walls 37, with the additional connection extensions forming the secondary connection pins 49 being inserted into the cages 58 of the additional connection terminals 38, with the housings of the cage terminals 58 of the additional connection terminals 38 being opposite the third holes (not visible) in the lower wall 35,and with the screws 59 of the additional connection terminals 38 which are opposite the fourth holes 56 in another of the side walls 37.

[0116] Figures 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views showing the electrical interconnection of either of the electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10 with a horizontal distribution comb 7 and with a vertical distribution comb 8.

[0117] In [Fig. 8], the electrical interconnection device 6, 9 or 10 is shown alone.

[0118] The arrangement described above of the electronic interconnection module 40 in the housing 30 is seen, with in particular the inlet openings 52 of the lyre-shaped connecting members 51 forming the secondary connection terminals 50 which are located opposite the second orifices 32.

[0119] In [Fig.9], the rigid secondary teeth 24 of the horizontal distribution combs 7 are introduced through the respective second orifices 32 and the respective inlet openings 52 and thus mechanically and electrically interconnected with the secondary connection terminals 50. This illustrates the electrical interconnection visible in particular in Figures 1 and 2 between the electrical interconnection device 6 and the horizontal distribution combs 7.

[0120] In [Fig. 10], the rigid secondary teeth 24 of the vertical distribution combs 8 are introduced through the respective second orifices 32 and the respective inlet openings 52 and thus mechanically and electrically interconnected with the secondary connection terminals 50. This illustrates the electrical interconnection visible in particular in Figures 1 and 2 between the electrical interconnection devices 9 and 10 and the vertical distribution combs 8.

[0121] In figures 9 and 10, one of the side walls of the housing is therefore configured to come opposite the horizontal and vertical distribution combs 7,8.

[0122] It will also be noted that, depending on the electrical interconnection device 6, 9 or 10 used, one of the lower wall and the upper wall is configured to face the main electrical equipment, with its first openings provided in its upper wall and / or in its lower wall being located opposite the main connection terminals provided in the lower face and / or in the upper face of the main electrical equipment.

[0123] Variants not illustrated are described below.

[0124] Depending on the spacing of the rows in the electrical panel, the electrical interconnection device may have main connection pins both protruding from the top wall and the bottom wall and be interconnected with several electrical devices.

[0125] A single main connection pin protrudes from the housing of the electrical interconnection device.

[0126] The housing may have first openings on several of the side walls for interconnection with more than two distribution combs.

[0127] The housing may have a single first port for interconnection with a single distribution comb.

[0128] The secondary connection terminals can be formed by cages and a screw rather than a lyre-shaped connecting member.

[0129] Each secondary connection terminal can be formed as a single piece with the main connection pin and / or with the secondary connection pin.

[0130] The main electrical equipment can be mounted at the end of the row rather than at the beginning.

[0131] The main connection terminals of the main electrical equipment can be arranged in an offset manner along the longitudinal direction.

[0132] In the electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10 described above and in the variants not illustrated, both the housing and the electrical interconnection module are configured to be interconnected, respectively mechanically and electrically, with both a horizontal distribution comb and a vertical distribution comb, and also with the electrical equipment regardless of the position of the interconnection device relative to the latter.

[0133] The electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10 described above and in the variants not illustrated are unique accessories which allow the electrical equipment to be directly interconnected with the horizontal distribution comb(s) and / or with the vertical distribution comb(s).

[0134] In other words, the electrical interconnection devices 6, 9 and 10 described above and in the variants not illustrated are configured so as to be modular and adaptable to different types of electrical system arrangements in an electrical panel, while using simple and standard horizontal and / or vertical distribution combs.

[0135] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and represented.

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical interconnection device between electrical equipment (4, 5) mounted in an electrical panel (1), such as a residual current circuit breaker, and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb (7, 8), comprising: a housing (30) having a lower wall (35), an upper wall (36) opposite the lower wall, and side walls (37) joining the upper and lower walls and defining with the upper and lower walls an internal space of the housing, with at least one of the lower and upper walls being configured to face the electrical equipment and having at least one first opening (31), and with at least one of the side walls being configured to face at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb and having at least one second opening (32);and an electrical interconnection module (40) at least partially housed within the internal space of the housing and comprising at least one main connection pin (41, 43) extending outward from the housing through at least one first orifice and configured to be received in a main receiving terminal (18) of the electrical equipment so as to interconnect the electrical interconnection device (6, 9, 10) to the electrical equipment, and at least one secondary connection terminal (50) electrically connected to at least one main connection pin, disposed within the internal space of the housing opposite at least one second orifice, and configured to receive through at least one second orifice a secondary tooth (24) of at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb, so as to interconnect the electrical interconnection device to at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb.

2. An electrical interconnection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the other of the lower and upper walls (35, 36) of the housing (30) is provided with at least one third opening (55), and the electrical interconnection module (40) comprises, on the one hand, at least one additional connection pin (49) extending opposite at least one main connection pin (41, 43) and in the direction of at least one third orifice and, on the other hand, at least one additional connection terminal (38) which is housed in the housing, opposite at least one third orifice, and which receives at least one additional connection pin, with the electrical interconnection device (6, 9, 10) which is thus configured to receive, through at least one third orifice, at least one electrical cable to be connected with at least one additional connection terminal so as to interconnect the electrical interconnection device to at least one electrical cable.

3. Electrical interconnection device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one additional connection terminal (38) is of the screw type (59) and at least one of the side walls (37) is provided with at least one fourth orifice (56) provided opposite at least one additional connection terminal for the passage of a tool for tightening and loosening the screw.

4. Electrical interconnection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (30) has several first orifices (31) provided in the upper wall (36) and / or in the lower wall (35); and / or the housing has several second orifices (32) provided in one or more side walls (37).

5. Electrical interconnection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one main connection pin (41) comprises a base portion (42) housed in the housing (30) and at least one connection extension (43) extending from the base portion and through at least one first orifice (31).

6. Electrical interconnection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the base portion (42) comprises a central wall (44) and two lateral branches (45, 46) extending from the central wall and facing each other, with at least one connection extension (43) extending from one of the lateral branches.

7. An electrical interconnection device according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that at least one main connection pin (41) has several connection extensions extending from the lateral branches in opposite directions, respectively towards the upper wall (36) of the housing (30) and through at least one first orifice (31) and towards the lower wall (35) of the housing to at least one additional connection terminal (38).

8. Electrical interconnection device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that at least one secondary connection terminal (50) is mechanically attached to the base portion (42) of at least one primary connection pin (41).

9. Electrical interconnection device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one secondary connection terminal (50) has a lyre-shaped connecting member (51) and has an inlet opening (52) arranged opposite at least one second orifice (32).

10. Electrical system comprising at least one electrical interconnection device (6, 9, 10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, at least one main electrical switchgear (4), such as a residual current circuit breaker, having at least one main receiving terminal (18) into which is received at least one main connection pin (41) of at least one electrical interconnection device, and at least one horizontal and / or vertical distribution comb (7, 8) having at least one secondary tooth (24) received into at least one secondary connection terminal (50) of at least one electrical interconnection device.

11. Electrical system according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises several secondary electrical equipment (5), such as circuit breakers, and at least one horizontal distribution comb (7) electrically connected to the secondary electrical equipment, the system being configured to interconnect the main electrical equipment to the secondary electrical equipment via at least one horizontal distribution comb and at least one electrical interconnection device (6).

12. An electrical system according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that it comprises several main electrical devices (4), such as residual current circuit breakers, several electrical interconnection devices (9, 10) each electrically connected to a main electrical device, and at least one vertical distribution busbar (8) electrically connected to each of the electrical interconnection devices, the system being thus configured to interconnect the main electrical equipment via at least one horizontal distribution comb and electrical interconnection devices.

13. Electrical panel comprising at least one electrical system according to any one of claims 10 to 12 and at least one mounting rail (3) on which one or more main electrical devices (4) and / or one or more secondary electrical devices (5) are mechanically secured per row, the main electrical device(s) being at the head or tail of the row.

14. Electrical panel according to claim 13, comprising at least one horizontal distribution comb (7) electrically connected to secondary electrical equipment (5) on the same row, and at least one electrical interconnection device (6) electrically connected to at least one horizontal distribution comb and to a main electrical equipment on the same row.

15. Electrical switchboard according to any one of claims 13 and 14, comprising several electrical interconnection devices (9, 10) connected to main electrical equipment (4) on different rows, and at least one vertical distribution comb (8) electrically connected to each of the electrical interconnection devices.

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