Electrical connection device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection device (1) between a part (2) and a cable segment (3). The electrical connection device (1) is particular in that it comprises: - a section (4), configured to receive said part (2) and ensure a connection between said device (1) and said part (2), said section (4) comprising two electrical connection means (5) between said part (2) and said device (1), - a means for retaining said cable segment (3) within the section (4), and - a punching means (7) configured to be able to be placed in a connection position, in which it penetrates the core of the cable (3). The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device (1), a part (2), and a cable segment (3), and a method for connecting a part (2) and a cable segment (3) by means of a device (1). Figure for the abstract: Fig 6

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical connection device technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection device for electrically connecting and mechanically fixing a part made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a section of cable, the core of which is conductive. The invention allows, for example, the part to be grounded via a grounding cable.

[0002] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application for the grounding of photovoltaic panel frames or any other system requiring an electrical connection. Previous technique

[0003] The Applicant develops particularly relevant solutions for grounding electrical equipment.

[0004] He is notably the holder of patent EP3997759, which proposes a grounding connection device for an electrical installation. This device includes self-connection means enabling the automatic creation of an electrical connection during the mounting of electrical equipment, such as photovoltaic panel frames, on their supports.

[0005] However, this device is not suitable for all situations. In particular, this device is not suitable when only photovoltaic panel frames need to be grounded. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an electrical connection device between at least one part made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a section of cable comprising at least one electrically conductive core.

[0007] This electrical connection device is special in that it comprises: - a U-shaped section, comprising two legs connected to a base, configured to partially receive said at least one part between the two legs of the U, said section having a certain degree of flexibility and being dimensioned to be able to exert pressure on said at least one part in order to form a clamp and ensure a mechanical fastening between said electrical connection device and said at least one part, said section comprising two electrical connection means, each disposed on one of the legs of the U, enabling an electrical connection to be generated between said at least one part and said electrical connection device when said at least one part is partially disposed between the legs of the U, - a holding means, capable of holding the section of said cable section in position relative to the electrical connection device between the legs (4a) of the U, and - a punching means configured to be able to be placed in a standby position, in which it is not in electrical contact with the core of the cable section when a section of said cable section is held in position by said holding means, or in a connection position, in which it penetrates at least partially into the core of the cable section, in order to generate an electrical connection between the core of the cable section and said at least one part partially inserted between the legs of the U, and a mechanical fastening between the cable section and the electrical connection device.

[0008] Thanks to these provisions, a reliable electrical connection, as well as a mechanical assembly, can be established between the cable section and said at least one part in a simple and quick manner.

[0009] Said electrical connection device may comprise an electrically conductive blade, said electrical connection device being at least partially formed in said blade by cutting and / or bending, which is a particularly efficient embodiment and easy to manufacture. The amount of material required to manufacture an electrical connection device according to the invention is also reduced.

[0010] At least one of said two means of electrical connection may include at least one pointed tooth, the tip of said at least one pointed tooth being able to be configured to enter into the material of said at least one part, when said at least one part is partially inserted between the legs of the U, which is a simple and robust embodiment of the invention, particularly suitable for manufacturing by cutting and / or bending an electrically conductive blade.

[0011] The tip of said at least one sharp tooth can be oriented so as to oppose a withdrawal of said at least one part from between the legs of the U, which strengthens the reliability of the mechanical fixing of the connection device to said at least one part.

[0012] The punching means may include at least one pointed tooth, the pointed tooth being able to be configured so that when the punching means is in the standby position, the point presents with the tangent plane to the surface of the cable section an angle between 70 and 90°, which allows a reliable and easy-to-obtain electrical connection between the punching means and the core of the cable section.

[0013] The punching means may comprise at least two pointed teeth, said pointed teeth being configured to penetrate the cable section at two distinct locations on its circumference, these two locations being separate of a distance at least equal to one-quarter of the circumference of the section of said cable segment, which strengthens the reliability of the electrical connection between the punching means and the core of the cable segment, and facilitates the connection positioning of the punching means, which can be achieved by bringing said pointed teeth closer together.

[0014] Said retaining means may consist of the U-shaped section, said retaining means being able to be configured to retain the cable section between said at least one piece partially inserted between the legs of the U and the bottom of the U, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0015] The punching means can be configured so that when a section of cable is placed in the holding means, the passage from the waiting position to the connection position results from a push of said at least one part partially inserted between the legs of the U towards the bottom of the U, which makes it possible to carry out this passage automatically when the electrical connection device is attached to said at least one part, making the use of the electrical connection device according to the invention particularly simple.

[0016] The retaining means can be configured to keep the cable section out of the space between the legs of the U, which is an embodiment giving greater flexibility to the invention, and therefore allows it to be adapted to many different applications.

[0017] The punching means can be configured to undergo plastic deformation to move from the standby position to the connection position, which makes it possible to maintain the electrical connection between the punching means and the core of the cable section more reliable.

[0018] The two legs of the U may have two different lengths, which facilitates the partial insertion of said at least one piece into the U-shaped section, the U-shaped section being able in particular to have a certain angle of the legs with respect to said at least one piece, and to have for the insertion of said at least one piece a larger opening than the spacing between the legs of the U.

[0019] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising an electrical connection device according to the invention, a cable section having an electrically conductive core, and at least one part made at least partially of an electrically conductive material, said cable section being held in position by the holding means of said electrical connection device, the punching means of said electrical connection device being in the connection position, and said at least one part being partially inserted into the U-shaped section, said at least one part and the cable section being mechanically and electrically connected to each other via the electrical connection device.

[0020] Thanks to these provisions, a reliable electrical connection, as well as a mechanical assembly, can be established between the cable section and said at least one part in a simple and quick manner.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a method of electrical connection between at least one part made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a section of cable having an electrically conductive core, comprising the following steps: - assembly of the cable section and an electrical connection device according to the invention, by means of the means for retaining the electrical connection device, the means for punching said electrical connection device being in a standby position, - partial insertion of said at least one part into the U-shaped section of the electrical connection device, generating mechanical fastening and electrical connection between said at least one part and the electrical connection device, - putting the punching means into the connection position, generating the mechanical fixing and the electrical connection between the cable section and said at least one part, via the mechanical fixing and the electrical connection between the cable section and the electrical connection device.

[0022] Thanks to these provisions, a reliable electrical connection, as well as a mechanical assembly, can be established between the cable section and said at least one part in a simple and quick manner. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following description of several embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a connection device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of the connection device of [Fig.1],

[0026] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the connection device of [Fig.1], a section of cable being held in place by the retaining device,

[0027] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a side view of the connection device and the section of cable of the [Fig.3],

[0028] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the connection device and the section cable from [Fig.3], fixed to a part,

[0029] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the connection device, of the section of cable and part of the [Fig.5],

[0030] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a connection device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0031] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a side view of the connection device of [Fig.7]. Description of the implementation methods

[0032] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, terms with a relative meaning, such as vertical, horizontal, right, left, front, back, above, below, etc., should be interpreted under normal conditions of use of the invention, and as shown in the figures. Moreover, the geometric positions indicated in the description and the claims, such as "perpendicular," "parallel," and "symmetrical," are not limited to the strict sense defined in geometry, but extend to geometric positions that are close, that is, that allow a certain tolerance within the technical field considered, without affecting the result obtained. This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb "substantially," without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0033] With reference to the figures, the electrical connection device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to establish the electrical connection between at least one part 2 and a section of cable 3. The part 2 is made at least partially of an electrically conductive material. The cable 3 comprises an electrically conductive core.

[0034] In the following description, when reference is made to a single part 2, and unless otherwise stated, the provisions applicable to part 2 may also apply in the case of several parts 2.

[0035] Part 2 is generally made of a metallic material, for example aluminium. Part 2 is sometimes anodized, that is to say, coated on the surface with an insulating layer.

[0036] Cable 3 is, for example, an earthing cable, typically comprising a yellow and green sheath. However, it may be another type of cable used for earthing or equipotential bonding of part 2 with other elements of an installation. Cable 3 may have an insulating sheath, inside which are one or more electrically conductive cores. In some embodiments, cable 3 does not have an insulating sheath, the electrically conductive core(s) being exposed.

[0037] In this description, the expression "to connect" or "to electrically connect" parts together means to establish an electrical connection between the conductive parts of the parts.

[0038] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples of the application of the invention in the context of a photovoltaic panel installation, part 2 being a panel frame photovoltaic. The invention is not limited to photovoltaic panel installations but extends to any application using at least partially conductive parts requiring grounding or equipotentiality between them, such as thermal panels, hybrid thermal / photovoltaic panels or the like, inverters or micro-inverters, metal structures of all kinds, cable trays, Faraday cages, machine frames, technical work cabins (e.g., paint booths), suspended ceiling elements, etc. These examples are not limiting.

[0039] The device 1 comprises a U-shaped section 4. For the purposes of this invention, "U-shaped" means a shape comprising two legs 4a connected by means of a base 4b. The base 4b may be flat, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, or rounded. The angle formed by the legs 4a with the base 4b may be the same for both legs 4a, for example, a right angle, or different for each leg 4a. The legs 4a may be parallel to each other, or form an angle, for example, an angle of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°. This angle may be arranged so as to bring the free ends of the legs 4a closer together, or to move them further apart, with respect to their ends located on the side of the base of the U.

[0040] The U-shaped section 4 can extend over the entire length of the connection device 1, as illustrated in [Fig. 1] and 3, or only over a part of this length, for example over one or more intervals of its length.

[0041] The legs 4a may have the same length between the base 4b and their free end. The legs 4a may also have different lengths, as illustrated by way of example in the figures. A different length of legs 4a allows for a larger opening in the U into which part 2 can be inserted, thus facilitating the step of partially inserting part 2 into the U-shaped section 4.

[0042] Part 2 can be partially inserted into the recess formed between the two legs 4a of the U. In the following description, the expression "insertion into the U-shaped section 4" refers to an insertion between the legs 4a of the U. This insertion is preferably made from the side opposite the bottom 4b of the U, that is, from the side of the free ends of the legs 4a of the U. The U-shaped section 4 is dimensioned and made of a material that gives it a certain degree of flexibility, so that it can exert pressure on part 2 and form a clamp. This clamping of part 2 by the U-shaped section 4 generates a mechanical fastening of the device 1 to part 2.

[0043] The U-shaped section 4 includes two electrical connection means 5, each disposed on one of the legs 4a of the U. The electrical connection means 5 make it possible to generate an electrical connection between the part 2 and the device 1 when the part 2 is partially disposed between the legs of the U. This electrical connection is generated preferably automatically, when inserting part 2 between legs 4a of U section 4.

[0044] What is described above can be applied with a single part 2, connected therefore to the two electrical connection means 5, or with two parts 2, inserted together in the U-shaped section 4, so that each of them is in contact with one of the electrical connection means 5, and so that an equipotential bond is produced between the device 1 and each of the two parts 2.

[0045] The device 1 also includes a retaining means 6. The retaining means 6 is configured to be able to maintain the section of cable 3 in a certain position relative to the device 1. This retention is understood in the directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the section of cable 3, that is to say that in certain embodiments the cable 3 held in position by the retaining means 6 can always slide in a direction parallel to its longitudinal direction.

[0046] The device 1 further includes a punching means 7. The punching means 7 is arranged relative to the holding means 6, and therefore relative to any cable section 3 held in position by the holding means 6, so that it can be placed in two distinct positions. In a first position of the punching means 7, called the standby position, if a cable section 3 is held by the holding means 6, the punching means 7 is not in electrical contact with the core of the cable 3. In a second position of the punching means 7, called the connection position, if a cable section 3 is held by the holding means 6, the punching means 7 is in electrical contact with the core of the cable 3.An electrical connection is thus established between the core of the cable section 3 and the connection device 1, and therefore possibly with a part 2 inserted in the U-shaped section 4, the electrical connection means 5 being electrically connected by means of punching 7 within the connection device 1, for example by the fact that the connection device 1 is entirely made of a conductive material.

[0047] In Figures 4 to 6, the punching means 7 is shown in the connected position. In [Fig. 7], the punching means is shown in the standby position.

[0048] For the purposes of this description, the term "punching" means that the punching means 7 has a sharp end, for example a pointed tooth 7a, preferably formed, for example, by cutting and bending an electrically conductive blade as described below. This sharp end is configured so that when it moves from the standby position to the connection position, the sharp end follows a movement, for example, a rectilinear or rotational movement, in order to penetrate the material of the cable 3 to the core of the cable 3 in a direction perpendicular to the plane tangent to the outer sheath of the cable 3, or at an angle close to 90°, for example, greater than 70°. The sharp end of the means punching 7 preferably penetrates the insulating sheath of cable section 3, to come into contact with the conductive core of cable section 3.

[0049] The pointed tooth 7a preferably has a shape that opposes its extraction from the material of the cable section 3. This shape includes in particular lateral points extending in a direction transverse to the main point of the pointed tooth.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the punching means 7 has at least two pointed teeth 7a. The teeth 7a are arranged such that when a section of cable 3 is held by the holding means 6, and the punching means 7 is moved into the connection position, the teeth 7a penetrate the cable section 3 at two distinct locations on its circumference. These locations are separated from each other, for example, by a distance at least equal to one-quarter of the circumference of the cross-section of the cable section 3.

[0051] The device 1 may comprise or be entirely made of a strip of electrically conductive material, said strip being cut and / or bent to form all or part of the device 1. This material is preferably metallic and elastic, for example, a strip of stainless spring steel. This strip of material may have a relatively small thickness, for example, between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, without these values ​​being limiting. Of course, any other technically equivalent material having good electrical conductivity and elasticity properties may be suitable. This material may also have or not have a thermal and / or chemical surface treatment to add properties, for example, protective properties depending on the nature of the part 2 in the presence of the ambient environment.

[0052] The electrical connection means 5 may each include at least one pointed tooth 8, formed, for example, by cutting and bending in an electrically conductive blade as described above. One or two of the electrical connection means 5 may include a plurality of teeth 8 aligned in the same plane. One or two of the electrical connection means 5 may include one or more groups of teeth 8 aligned in the same plane. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], each electrical connection means 5 may include a group of nine teeth 8. As illustrated in [Fig. 7], one electrical connection means 5 may include two groups of two teeth 8, the groups of teeth 8 being separated by gaps, and the other electrical connection means 5 may include a group of five teeth 8.One electrical connection means 5 may further comprise two groups of three teeth 8, and the other electrical connection means 5 may comprise two teeth 8, separated by a gap. These examples do not, of course, limit the scope of the invention in any way, as the number of teeth 8 and the possible spacings between teeth 8 or groups of teeth 8, for each of the connection means 5, depend on each application.

[0053] For each leg 4a of the U, the tooth or teeth 8 can extend over a relatively small distance compared to the rest of the leg 4a, so that when a part 2 is inserted into the U section 4, not only the tooth 8, but also a part of the face of the leg 4a from which the tooth 8 extends, is in contact with the part 2.

[0054] For each leg 4a of the U, the tooth or teeth 8 can extend over a relatively large distance compared to the rest of the leg 4a, so that when a part 2 is inserted into the U section 4, the tooth 8 is the only part of the leg 4a in contact with the part 2.

[0055] The teeth 8 are configured to penetrate the conductive material of the part 2, optionally after passing through an anodized layer, in order to produce reliable electrical connections. This penetration, and therefore these reliable connections, preferably occurs automatically at the moment of insertion of the part 2 into the U-shaped section 4.

[0056] The tips of the teeth 8 are preferably oriented so that when the part 2 is partially inserted into the U-shaped section 4, the tips of the teeth 8 prevent the part 2 from being withdrawn from the U-shaped section 4. More precisely, the tips of the teeth 8 extend towards the bottom 4b of the U, or towards a plane perpendicular to the legs 4a and extending from the bottom 4b of the U, and not towards the opening of the U on the side of the free ends of the legs 4a of the U. Thus the teeth 8, in addition to their electrical connection function, also have a mechanical fastening function.

[0057] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the retaining means 6 is constituted by the U-shaped section 4. As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, the cable section 3 is then retained by the retaining means 6 between the two legs 4a of the U, and when a part 2 is partially inserted into the U-shaped section 4, the cable section 3 is held in position between the bottom 4b of the U and the part 2, possibly between the punching means 7 and the part 2, as seen in [Fig.6].

[0058] When the holding means 6 is constituted by the U-shaped section 4, the punching means 7 can be configured so that when a cable section 3 is held in position by the holding means 6, the transition from the waiting position to the connection position, i.e. the partial insertion of the punching means 7 into the cable section 3, results from a push of the part 2 partially inserted between the legs 4a of the U towards the bottom 4b of the U. This results in particular from the fact that the punching means 7 has a sharp end, for example a pointed tooth 7a, extending parallel to the legs 4a of the U, in a direction opposite to the bottom 4b of the U, as illustrated for example in [Fig.2].

[0059] When the retaining means 6 is constituted by the U-shaped section 4, the connecting device may include a fin 10, disposed in the U-shaped section, and allowing to prevent the cable section 3 from coming out of the U section 4. The fin is preferably oriented towards the bottom of the U, so that it can be easily bent to allow the cable section 3 to pass through when it is inserted into the U section 4, and to present a stop to the extraction of the cable section 3 from the U section 4.

[0060] The punching means 7 can be configured to undergo plastic deformation when it moves from the standby position to the connection position. Here, elastic deformation is understood to mean reversible deformation, in which the punching means 7 is deformed under pressure and returns to its initial shape when this pressure is removed. Plastic deformation offers the advantage of preventing accidental movement from the connection position to the standby position, and thus preventing a loss of electrical connection between the device 1 and the cable section 3.

[0061] Device 1 can be used to electrically connect a part 2 made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a section of cable 3 having an electrically conductive core, according to a method comprising the following steps:

[0062] - assembly of the cable section 3 with a connection device 1, by via the retaining means 6 of the connection device, the punching means 7 of said connection device 1 being in standby position, - partial insertion of part 2 into the U section 4 of the connection device 1, generating the mechanical fixing and the electrical connection between part 2 and the connection device 1, - putting into connection position the punching means 7, generating the mechanical fixing and the electrical connection between the cable section 3 and part 2, via the mechanical fixing and the electrical connection between the cable section 3 and the connection device 1.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art, within the limits of the appended claims. Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above may be combined, in whole or in part.

Claims

Demands

1. An electrical connection device (1) between at least one part (2) made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a cable segment (3) comprising at least one electrically conductive core, characterized in that it comprises: - a U-shaped section (4) having two legs (4a) connected to a base (4b), configured to partially receive said at least one part (2) between the two legs of the U, said U-shaped section (4) having a certain degree of flexibility and being dimensioned to be able to exert pressure on said at least one part (2), to form a clamp and to ensure mechanical fastening between said electrical connection device (1) and said at least one part (2), said U-shaped section (4) having two electrical connection means (5), each disposed on one of the legs (4a) of the U,enabling the generation of an electrical connection between said at least one part (2) and said electrical connection device (1) when said at least one part (2) is partially disposed between the legs (4a) of the U, - a holding means (6) capable of holding said cable segment (3) in position relative to the electrical connection device (1) between the legs (4a) of the U, and - a punching means (7) configured to be able to be placed in a standby position, in which it is not in electrical contact with the core of the cable segment (3) when said cable segment (3) is held in position by said holding means (6), or in a connection position, in which it penetrates at least partially into the core of the cable segment (3), in order to generate an electrical connection between the core of the cable segment (3) and said at least one part (2) partially inserted between the legs (4a) of the U,and a mechanical fixing between the cable section (3) and the electrical connection device (1).

2. Electrical connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an electrically conductive blade, said electrical connection device (1) being at least partly formed in said blade by cutting and / or bending.

3. Electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that at least one of said two means of electrical connection (5) includes at least one pointed tooth (8), the tip of said at least one pointed tooth (8) being configured to enter into the material of said at least one part (2), when said at least one part (2) is partially inserted between the legs (4a) of the U.

4. Electrical connection device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the tip of said at least one pointed tooth (8) is oriented so as to oppose a withdrawal of said at least one piece (2) from between the legs (4a) of the U.

5. Electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the punching means (7) has at least one pointed tooth (7a), the pointed tooth (7a) being configured so that when the punching means (7) is in standby position, the point has an angle between 70 and 90° with the plane tangent to the surface of the cable section (3).

6. Electrical connection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the punching means (7) comprises at least two pointed teeth (7a), said pointed teeth (7a) being configured to penetrate the cable section (3) at two distinct locations on its circumference, these two locations being separated by a distance at least equal to one-quarter of the circumference of the section of said cable section (3).

7. Electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said retaining means (6) is constituted by the U-shaped section (4), said retaining means (6) being configured to retain the cable segment (3) between said at least one piece (2) partially inserted between the legs (4a) of the U and the bottom (4b) of the U.

8. Electrical connection device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the punching means (7) is configured so that when a cable segment (3) is disposed in the holding means (6), the transition from the standby position to the connection position results from a push of said at least one part (2) partially inserted between the legs (4a) of the U towards the bottom (4b) of the U.

9. Electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining means (6) is configured to retain the cable segment (3) out of the space between the legs (4a) of the U.

10. Electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the punching means (7) is configured to undergo plastic deformation to move from the standby position to the connection position.

11. Electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the two legs (4a) of the U have two different lengths.

12. Assembly comprising an electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a cable section (3) having an electrically conductive core, and at least one part (2) made at least partially of an electrically conductive material, said cable section (3) being held in position by the holding means (6) of said electrical connection device (1), the punching means (7) of said electrical connection device (1) being in the connection position, and said at least one part (2) being partially inserted into the U-shaped section (4), said at least one part (2) and the cable section (3) being mechanically and electrically connected to each other via the electrical connection device (1).

13. A method for electrically connecting at least one part (2) made at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a section of cable (3) having an electrically conductive core, comprising the following steps: - assembling the section of cable (3) and an electrical connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, by means of the retaining means (6) of the electrical connection device (1), the punching means (7) of said electrical connection device (1) being in the standby position, - partial insertion of said at least one part (2) into the U-shaped section (4) of the electrical connection device (1), generating the mechanical fastening and the electrical connection between said at least one part (2) and the electrical connection device (1), - placing the punching means (7) in the connection position,generating the mechanical fastening and electrical connection between the cable section (3) and said at least one part (2), by means of the mechanical fastening and electrical connection between the cable section (3) and the electrical connection device (1).

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