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EP-4662740-B1 - CONNECTION DEVICE FOR GROUNDING AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND/OR CREATING AN EQUIPOTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN CONDUCTIVE ELEMENTS

EP4662740B1EP 4662740 B1EP4662740 B1EP 4662740B1EP-4662740-B1

Inventors

  • KELLER, MARC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240220

Claims (14)

  1. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) for earthing an electrical apparatus and/or establishing an equipotential connection between conductive elements, said device being arranged to be at least partly interposed between a first part (2) and a second part (3), said first part (2) belonging to said electrical apparatus and being electrically conductive, and said second part (3) belonging to a support structure on which said electrical apparatus is installed and being electrically conductive at least in part, said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) comprising: - at least one first auto-connect means (5) arranged to automatically establish electrical contact with said first part (2) when said electrical apparatus is installed on said support structure, and - at least one second auto-connect means (6) arranged to automatically establish electrical contact with said second part (3) when said electrical apparatus is installed on said support structure, such that an equipotential connection is automatically established between at least said electrical apparatus and said support structure when said electrical apparatus is installed on said support structure by means of said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), characterised in that said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) further comprises at least one return means (10), which is arranged to extend between a part (4) for clamping said first part (2) on said second part (3) and said second part (3) and arranged to be compressed when said clamping part (4) is in the clamping position, said at least one return means (10) being able to keep said clamping part (4) at a predetermined distance from its clamping position when said clamping part (4) is not in the clamping position, said at least one return means (10) comprises rectilinear sections (11) connected by at least one curved section (12), the radius of curvature of the at least one curved section (12) being reduced when the return means is compressed, and in that said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) comprises an electrically conductive blade, said at least one return means (10) being formed in said blade by cutting and/or bending.
  2. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to claim 1, characterised in that said first auto-connect means (5) and/or said second auto-connect means (6) is formed in said blade by cutting and/or bending.
  3. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that said blade is made of spring steel.
  4. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises two return means (10) extending on two opposite sides of said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d).
  5. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a receiving zone (13) having a receiving wall (14), which forms the base of a U, and at least two placement walls (15), which form the arms of said U, said receiving zone (13) preferably being produced by cutting and/or bending said blade and being arranged to receive at least part of said clamping part (4).
  6. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to claim 5, characterised in that said receiving wall (14) comprises a first opening (16) through which a fastening means (17) of the clamping part (4), such as a screw, can pass.
  7. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 5 to 6, characterised in that at least one of said at least two placement walls (15) comprises at least one retaining means (18) arranged to be embedded in the material of said clamping part (4) and prevent the removal of said clamping part and simultaneously to establish electrical contact with said clamping part (4) if it is electrically conductive.
  8. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to claim 7, characterised in that said at least one retaining means (18) is formed by at least one pointed tooth, which is obtained by cutting and/or bending in one of the arms of the U of the receiving zone (13) and arranged so as to project inside the U.
  9. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said first auto-connect means (5) and/or said second auto-connect means (6) comprise(s) a pointed toothing which is arranged to be embedded in the material of said first part (2) and/or second part (3) when said electrical apparatus is installed on said support structure, said pointed toothing preferably being obtained by cutting and/or bending said electrically conductive blade.
  10. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises at least two first auto-connect means (5), said at least two first auto-connect means (5) being arranged to automatically connect two electrical apparatuses, which are arranged side by side and installed on a support structure, to earth or to a reference potential.
  11. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises an opening (16, 20) configured for a fastening means (17) of the clamping part (4) to pass therethrough, said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) further comprising at least one holding means (21) that extends from the edge of the opening (16, 20) and allows said fastening means (17) to be held in said opening (16, 20).
  12. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises a base (19) comprising a second opening (20) configured for a fastening means (17) of the clamping part (4) to pass therethrough, said base (19) comprising a third auto-connect means (23) arranged to automatically establish electrical contact with a nut (24) that interacts with said fastening means (17) when said electrical apparatus is installed on said support structure.
  13. Connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said predetermined distance is greater than or equal to 4 mm.
  14. Method for installing a first part (2) on a second part (3), said first part (2) belonging to an electrical apparatus and being electrically conductive, and said second part (3) belonging to a support structure on which said electrical apparatus is installed, said second part (3) being electrically conductive at least in part, said device comprising the following steps: - placing a connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 13 and a clamping part (4) on said second part (3) such that the clamping part (4) is held by said connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) in a position for being clamped, - placing said first part (2) such that the connection device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is at least partly interposed between the first part (2) and the second part (3), - clamping said clamping part (4) so as to compress said at least one return means (10), automatically causing an equipotential connection to be established between said electrical apparatus and said support structure.

Description

technical field The present invention relates to a connection device for grounding electrical equipment and/or creating an equipotential bond between conductive elements. The invention allows, for example, the automatic grounding of electrical equipment upon its mounting on a support structure. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application for grounding photovoltaic panel frames. Previous technique The Applicant develops particularly relevant solutions for automatically grounding electrical equipment during its assembly. He is notably a patent holder EP2684252 which offers a grounding connection device for electrical installations. This device incorporates self-connection features that automatically create an electrical connection during the mounting of electrical equipment, such as photovoltaic panel frames, onto their supports. The connection device has teeth designed to grip the panel frames for a reliable connection. The device is also flexible, allowing the teeth to maintain pressure on the frame after mounting. In addition to automatic grounding during installation, this solution also reduces the number of parts used and to simplify the installation, as it reduces the number of cables, lugs and screws needed for grounding. The document US 2011/085875 We propose a fastening device that can be used to create an equipotential bond between a profile and support and a solar module. There is a need to accelerate the implementation of such devices while improving safety. Furthermore, in the field of photovoltaic panels, it is common practice to secure the frames to their supports using clamping brackets. To provide a visual indicator of tightness, the brackets can be held away from their tightened position by a spring, so that a simple glance at a bracket allows an operator to determine whether it is tightened or not. These springs, which can be made of metal or plastic, add to the complexity of the installation. Description of the invention The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing a connection device for grounding electrical equipment and/or creating an equipotential bond between conductive elements, arranged to be at least partially interposed between a first part and a second part, said first part belonging to said electrical equipment and being electrically conductive, and said second part belonging to a support structure on which said electrical equipment is mounted and being at least partially electrically conductive, said connection device comprising: at least one first self-connection means arranged to automatically create electrical contact with said first part when said electrical equipment is mounted on said support structure, and at least one second self-connection means arranged to automatically create electrical contact with said second part when said electrical equipment is mounted on said support structure, so that an equipotential bonding connection is automatically created between at least said electrical equipment and said support structure when said electrical equipment is mounted on said support structure via said connection device, Said connecting device is particular in that it further comprises at least one return means arranged to extend between a clamping piece of said first piece on said second piece and said second piece, and to be compressed when said clamping piece is in the clamped position, said at least one return means being capable of maintaining said clamping piece at a predetermined distance from its clamped position when said clamping piece is not in the clamped position, and said connection device is also particular in that it comprises an electrically conductive blade, said at least one return means being formed in said blade by cutting and/or folding. Thanks to these provisions, the invention makes it possible to improve, facilitate and optimize the grounding and/or equipotential bonding of any type of electrical installation, regardless of the nature of the support structure, whether it is electrically conductive or not, whether it is continuous or discontinuous, this new device being particularly simple, fast, reliable, safe, without difficulty, accessible to unqualified personnel, ergonomic, versatile and guaranteed over time regardless of climatic or environmental conditions, the connection device also making it possible to properly position a clamping part and keep it away from its tightened position, which facilitates the assembly of the electrical installation and makes it easy to ensure that all the clamping parts of an installation are tightened. Said first self-connecting means and/or said second self-connecting means can be formed in said blade by cutting and/or bending, which further facilitates the manufacture of the device according to the invention. The said blade can be made of spring steel, which is a material with elastic and conductivity properties particularly suited to the invention. Said at least one ret