Electrical connection and mechanical fastening device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for electrical connection and mechanical fastening between two parts (2a, 2b). This device is special in that it comprises: - an internal element (3) having a U-shaped cross section and comprising two electrical-connection means (5), each arranged at the free end of one of the legs of the U, and - an external element (4), configured to be able to at least partially surround the internal element (3) in an assembled position of the device (1), and in that when the device is in the assembled position, the electrical-connection means (5) are subjected to pressure from the external element (4) so that, when the parts (2a, 2b) are arranged between the legs of the U, the pressure generates an electrical connection and a mechanical fastening of the parts to one another. The invention also relates to a method for using the device according to the invention.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Electrical connection and mechanical fastening device

[0003] technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to an electrical connection and mechanical fastening device for electrically connecting and mechanically fastening two parts together. The invention allows, for example, one of the parts to be automatically grounded during their assembly.

[0005] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application for grounding photovoltaic panel frames.

[0006] Previous technique

[0007] The Applicant develops particularly relevant solutions for automatically grounding electrical equipment during its assembly.

[0008] He notably holds patent EP2684252, which proposes a grounding connection device for an electrical installation. This device includes self-connection means allowing for the automatic creation of an electrical connection during the mounting of electrical equipment, such as photovoltaic panel frames, on their supports.

[0009] In this context, the installation of the connection devices must be carried out after the photovoltaic panel frames have been mechanically fixed to their supports. These two successive steps take some time. Furthermore, once the mechanical fixing is complete, it is possible to forget to install the devices used for electrical connection. If this is forgotten, equipment may not be grounded, which presents a significant safety risk.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an electrical connection and mechanical fastening device between two parts.

[0012] This device is unique in that it includes:

[0013] - an internal element having a U-shaped cross-section and comprising two electrical connection means, each disposed at the free end of one of the legs of the U, and

[0014] - an external element, configured to be able to at least partially surround the internal element in an assembled position of the device, and in that said internal element has a certain flexibility, and the internal and external elements are dimensioned so that when said device is in the assembled position, the electrical connection means are subjected to pressure from the external element tending to bring them closer together so as to form a clamp, so that when a part of each of the parts is disposed between the legs of the U, said pressure generates an electrical connection of each of the electrical connection means to one of the two parts, so as to generate an electrical connection of the parts between them, and a mechanical fixing of the parts between them.

[0015] Thanks to these features, the mechanical fastening and electrical connection of the parts can be achieved in a single step. This step is also simple to implement and requires no special tools. These advantages are obtained through a simple and inexpensive manufacturing process.

[0016] The internal and / or external element can each be made of a cut and / or bent electrically conductive blade, which is a simple and robust embodiment of the invention. This provides the external element with the rigidity necessary for mechanical fastening and the internal element with the flexibility required for simplified assembly. The amount of material required to manufacture a connection device according to the invention is also reduced, and the manufacturing process is simple.

[0017] At least one of the two electrical connection means 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 one of the parts, when the device is in the assembled position and the two parts are partially arranged 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.

[0018] The tip of said at least one pointed tooth can be turned towards the inside of said U formed by the internal element, which allows the tooth to oppose a withdrawal of the parts of the U formed by the internal element.

[0019] For each of the legs of the U formed by the internal element, said external element may include at least one bearing surface configured to exert pressure on the outside of said leg of the U, said external element may further include at least one connecting element enabling the distance between the bearing surfaces exerting pressure on the different legs of the U to be fixed, which is a simple way of subjecting the internal element to pressure tending to bring the electrical connection means closer together.

[0020] The said connecting element may have a through opening configured to be passed through by part of the parts, which allows the connecting element to extend over a greater length of the legs of the U, in particular beyond the edge of the parts, and thus to produce greater pressure on the electrical connection means.

[0021] The said device may include a means of locking said device in the assembled position, which increases the reliability of the mechanical fastening of the parts by means of the device, and may also serve to guide the positioning of the internal and external elements relative to each other when the device is put into the assembled position.

[0022] The internal and external elements can be configured so that the assembled positioning of the device consists of sliding the internal element at least partially into the external element, in a direction parallel to the legs of the U, which is a simple and robust embodiment of the invention.

[0023] At least one leg of the U formed by the internal element may have a hole, and the external element may have a tab configured so that when the device is in the assembled position, the tab is located at least partially in the hole, so as to oppose the sliding of the external element around the internal element along the legs of the U and towards the base of the U, the hole and the tab forming said locking means, which is a simple and effective means of implementing the invention.

[0024] The internal element can be made of a more flexible material than the external element, which allows that, with equivalent thickness of the internal and external elements, the assembled positioning generates a deformation of the internal element and not, or very little, of the external element.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method of using a device according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

[0026] - The device is assembled by placing the external element around at least part of the internal element.

[0027] - insertion of at least part of the parts between the legs of the U of the internal element, the pressure of the electrical connection means on the parts generating an electrical connection and a mechanical fixing between the parts.

[0028] Thanks to these features, the mechanical fastening and electrical connection of the parts can be achieved in a single step. This step is also simple to implement and requires no special tools. These advantages are obtained through a simple and inexpensive manufacturing process.

[0029] Brief description of the drawings

[0030] 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:

[0031] [Fig 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment, in the assembled position.

[0032] [Fig 2] Fig. 2 is a side view of the device in Figure 1,

[0033] [Fig 3] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1,

[0034] [Fig 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the internal element of the device in Figure 1,

[0035] [Fig 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the external element of the device in Figure 1,

[0036] [Fig 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a device from Figure 1, positioned on two pieces,

[0037] [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a detail from Fig. 6.

[0038] [Fig 8] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment, in assembled position.

[0039] Description of embodiments: 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, as shown in the figures. Moreover, the geometric positions indicated in the description and claims, such as "perpendicular," "parallel," and "symmetrical," are not limited to the strict geometric sense but extend to geometric positions that are close, i.e., 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.

[0040] With reference to the figures, the electrical connection and mechanical fixing device 1 allows the electrical connection and mechanical fixing to be carried out between two parts 2a, 2b.

[0041] Figure 6 illustrates an example of the application of the invention in a photovoltaic panel installation, parts 2a and 2b being a support rail and a photovoltaic panel frame. Of course, the invention is not limited to photovoltaic panel installations but extends to any application using parts requiring mechanical fastening and equipotential bonding, 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 booths (e.g., paint booths), etc. These examples are not exhaustive.

[0042] Parts 2a and 2b are generally made of electrically conductive materials, primarily metallic, sometimes anodized, meaning they have a surface coating of insulation. Specifically, parts 2a and 2b are generally made of aluminum and coated with an anodized layer.

[0043] Thus, in the present description, the expression "to connect" or "to electrically connect" parts together refers to the act of establishing an electrical connection between the conductive parts of parts 2a, 2b.

[0044] Device 1 comprises an internal element 3 and an external element 4.

[0045] The internal element 3, particularly visible in Figure 4, has a U-shaped cross-section. For the purposes of this invention, a "U-shaped" means a shape comprising two legs, each leg having one free end and one end connected to the other leg by means of a base. The legs of the U may be symmetrical or different. In particular, the legs may be the same length, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 7, or different lengths, as illustrated in Figure 8. The base may be flat, as illustrated in the figures, or rounded. The angle formed by the legs with the base may be the same for both legs, for example, a right angle, or different for each leg. The legs may be parallel to each other or form an angle, for example, an angle of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°.This angle can be arranged so as to bring the free ends of the legs closer together, or to move them further apart, relative to their ends located on the bottom side of the U.

[0046] The U-shaped section can be observed along the entire length of the internal element 3, as illustrated in Figure 4, which simplifies manufacturing. However, the U-shaped section may also be observed along only a portion of the length of the internal element 3 for various reasons, such as adding other functional sections to the internal element 3, for example, for positioning during assembly. In the following description, the term "U-leg" refers to the portion of the internal element whose cross-section corresponds to one leg of the U defined previously.

[0047] The internal element 3 has two electrical connection means 5. The electrical connection means 5 are each disposed at the free end of one of the legs of the U formed by the internal element 3.

[0048] The external element 4 is configured so that it can at least partially surround the internal element 3. When the external element 3 is arranged around the internal element 4, the device 1 is said to be in the assembled position, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 1 to 3 and 6 to 8.

[0049] The volume inside the external element 4, which at least partially accommodates the internal element 3, is sized to be slightly narrower than the volume occupied by the internal element 3, or the portion of the internal element 3 intended to occupy that volume. In this way, the external element 4 exerts pressure on the internal element 3 when the device 1 is in its assembled position. This pressure tends to bring at least part of the legs of the U closer together, and in particular, it tends to bring the electrical connection means 5 closer together, thus forming a clamp.

[0050] The internal element 3 is configured to accommodate, between the legs of the U presented by its section, a part of each of the parts 2a, 2b. This part can for example be a rim of a part 2a, 2b, like the rim of the frame 2a illustrated in figure 6, or the rim of a light 6 like the one made in the rail 2b illustrated in figure 6.

[0051] When device 1 is in the assembled position and a portion of each of parts 2a, 2b is positioned between the legs of the U, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the pressure tending to bring the electrical connection means 5 closer together generates:

[0052] - an electrical connection of each of the electrical connection means 5 to one of the parts 2a, 2b, in order to electrically connect the parts 2a, 2b together, and - a mechanical fixing of the parts 2a, 2b together.

[0053] The internal element 3 and / or the external element 4 may comprise or be made of a strip cut from a band of electrically conductive material. This material is preferably metallic and elastic, for example, a band of stainless spring steel. This band 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 with good electrical conductivity and elasticity properties may be suitable. This material may or may not have a thermal and / or chemical surface treatment to add properties, for example, protective properties, depending on the nature of the parts 2 and 3 in the presence of the ambient environment.

[0054] The internal element 3 and external element 4 are preferably made of two distinct materials, the material of the internal element 3 being more flexible than the external element 4.

[0055] At least one of the two electrical connection means 5 may include at least one pointed tooth 7, formed, for example, by cutting and bending an electrically conductive blade as previously described. One of the two electrical connection means 5 may include a plurality of teeth 7 aligned in the same plane, for example, nine teeth 7 each. The teeth 7 are configured to penetrate the material of the parts 2a, 2b, optionally after passing through an anodized layer, in order to produce a reliable electrical connection.

[0056] The tip of at least one tooth 7 preferably extends inwards towards the inside of the U. The angle formed by the tooth with the leg of the U to which it is attached may be less than 90°, preferably between 40° and 50°, for example 45°. In other words, the tip of at least one tooth 7 preferably extends inwards towards the inside of the U, in the direction of the bottom of the U. Thus, the tooth 7 offers little resistance to the insertion of parts 2a, 2b into the U, and conversely, it resists the removal of parts 2a, 2b from the inside of the U.

[0057] The external element 4 preferably comprises at least two bearing surfaces 8. Each bearing surface 8 is configured to be in contact with the outside of one of the legs of the U when the device 1 is in the assembled position. The external element 4 also comprises a connecting element 9, configured to fix the distance between the bearing surfaces 8 in contact with each of the legs of the U. The bearing surfaces 8 and the connecting element 9, taken together, maintain the internal element 3 under pressure.

[0058] The connecting element 9 preferably has a through opening 10, configured to be traversed by the parts 2a, 2b. The through opening 10 is aligned with the spacing between the legs of the U, and allows the bearing surfaces 8 to extend along the legs of the U, over a certain length towards the electrical connection means 5, while allowing the insertion of the parts 2a, 2b mounting of the device 1. In particular, the bearing surfaces 8 can thus extend beyond the edge of the parts 2a, 2b, for example to the right in figure 7.

[0059] In the examples illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 8, when device 1 is in the assembled position, the external element 4 is configured to extend along each leg of the U formed by the cross-section of the internal element 3, by the same length for each leg. In other embodiments not shown, the external element 4 can extend along each leg of the U formed by the cross-section of the internal element 3, by two different lengths, one length for each leg. More specifically, the opening 10, in the examples shown, is symmetrical about a plane parallel to the legs of the U, although this is not a limitation: it is possible, in other embodiments, that the opening 10 is not symmetrical about such a plane.The internal element 3 and external element 4 are preferably configured so that their assembly consists mainly of a sliding of the internal element 3, at least in part, into the external element 4. This sliding is carried out in a direction parallel to the legs of the U, or if these are not parallel to each other, in a direction presenting an identical angle with each of the legs of the U.

[0060] Device 1 preferably includes a locking mechanism for the assembled position. When the internal element 3 and external element 4 can be joined by sliding, this locking mechanism consists, for example, of a hole 11 and a tab 12. The hole is made in the internal element 3, preferably in one of the legs of the U. The tab 12 belongs to the external element 4. The tab 12 is, for example, obtained by cutting and folding the sheet of material forming the external element 4. The free end of the tab 12 is preferably oriented towards the bottom of the U. When device 1 is in the assembled position, the tab 12 is located in the hole 11, so as to prevent relative sliding of the internal element 3 and external element 4.

[0061] In the example illustrated in Figure 4, the internal element 3 is made from a rectangular strip of conductive material, comprising:

[0062] - at each of its ends, a cutout allowing the formation of teeth 7,

[0063] - at each of its ends, just before the teeth 7, a fold allowing the teeth 7 to be oriented towards the inside of the U,

[0064] - two folds at right angles, each fold defining on one side the base of the U, and on the other side one of the legs of the U,

[0065] - a rectangular hole 11 made in one of the legs of the U.

[0066] Each of these four features may be present in an embodiment of the invention, in combination or not with one or more of the other three. In the example illustrated in Figure 5, the external element 4 is made from a rectangular strip of conductive material, comprising:

[0067] - starting from each of its ends, a first right-angled fold delimiting a first support surface 8 and a connecting element 9,

[0068] - on each connecting element 9, a through opening 10 opening onto the same long side of the conductive material strip,

[0069] - starting from each connecting element 9, a second right-angled fold delimiting the connecting element 9 and a second unique bearing surface 8,

[0070] - a tab 12 extending inwards from the external element 4, obtained by cutting and folding a rectangle in the second support surface 8.

[0071] Each of these four characteristics may be present in an embodiment of the invention, in combination or not with one or more of the other three.

[0072] The device according to the invention can be used in a process comprising the following steps:

[0073] - - putting the device 1 into the assembled position, by placing the external element 4 around at least part of the internal element 32. This step is carried out, for example, by sliding the internal element 3 and external element 47 relative to each other,

[0074] - partial insertion of parts 2a, 2b between the legs of the U of the internal element 3, the pressure of the electrical connection means 5 on parts 2a, 2b generating both an electrical connection, and a mechanical fixing between the parts.

[0075] 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. Electrical connection and mechanical fastening device (1) between two parts (2a, 2b), characterized in that it comprises: - an internal element (3) having a U-shaped cross-section and comprising two electrical connection means (5), each disposed at the free end of one of the legs of the U, and - an external element (4), configured to be able to at least partially surround the internal element (3) in an assembled position of the device (1), and in that said internal element (3) has a certain degree of flexibility, and the internal (3) and external (4) elements are dimensioned such that when said device is in the assembled position, the electrical connection means (5) are subjected to pressure from the external element (4) tending to bring them closer together so as to form a clamp, so that when a part of each of the parts (2a, 2b) is disposed between the legs of the U, said pressure generates an electrical connection of each of the electrical connection means (5) to one of the two parts (2a, 2b), so as to generate an electrical connection of the parts (2a, 2b) to each other, and a mechanical fastening of the parts (2a, 2b) to each other,and in that said internal element (3) and said external element (4) are each made of an electrically conductive blade that is cut and / or bent.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two electrical connection means (5) comprises at least one pointed tooth (7), the tip of said at least one pointed tooth (7) being configured to enter into the material of one of the parts (2a, 2b), when the device (1) is in the assembled position and the two parts (2a, 2b) are partially arranged between the legs of the U.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the tip of said at least one pointed tooth (7) is turned towards the inside of said U formed by the internal element (3).

4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for each of the legs of the U formed by the internal element (3), said external element (4) comprises at least one bearing surface (8) configured to exert pressure on the outside of said leg of the U, said external element (4) further comprising at least one connecting element (9) for fixing the distance between the bearing surfaces (8) exerting pressure on the different legs of the U.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said connecting element (9) has a through opening (10) configured to be traversed by a part of the parts (2a, 2b).

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a means for locking said device (1) in the assembled position.

7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the internal (3) and external (4) elements are configured so that the assembled positioning of the device (1) consists of sliding the internal element (3) at least partially into the external element (4), in a direction parallel to the legs of the U.

8. Device (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that at least one leg of the U formed by the inner element (3) has a hole (11), and the outer element (4) has a tab (12) configured such that when the device (1) is in the assembled position, the tab (12) is located at least partially in the hole (11), so as to prevent the element from sliding external (4) around the internal element (3) along the legs of the U and towards the base of the U, the hole (11) and the tab (12) forming said locking means.

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the internal element (3) is made of a more flexible material than the external element (4).

10. Assembly comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and two parts (2a, 2b), at least a part of the parts (2a, 2b) being located between the legs of the U of the internal element (3) of the device (1), the pressure of the electrical connection means (5) on the parts (2a, 2b) generating an electrical connection and a mechanical fixing between the parts (2a, 2b).

11. A method of using a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - putting the device (1) into the assembled position, by placing the external element (4) around at least part of the internal element (3), - insertion of at least part of the parts (2a, 2b) between the legs of the U of the internal element (3), the pressure of the electrical connection means (5) on the parts (2a, 2b) generating an electrical connection and a mechanical fixing between the parts (2a, 2b).

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