ES2338177T3 - CONNECTION OF HIDDEN AND PREFERRED ELECTRICAL END OF STAINLESS FOR PREFABRICATED ELECTRICAL CHANNELING SECTIONS, PRE-ASSEMBLED IN ONE OF THE SECTIONS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Concealed and leaktight electrical butt joint for prefabricated lengths (1, 69) of electrical ducting, in which a metal enclosure (2, 70) houses at least one support (3) of insulating material having a plurality of rectilinear slots in each of which is housed a conducting bar, the extremities of the support (3) being spaced apart by the enclosure (2), the joint comprising a metal saddle (19) which is inserted to half its length in the extremity of the enclosure (2) on the first length (1) of ducting and its other half in the extremity of the enclosure (70) of a second length (69) abutting the first, the saddle extending in two side members (25, 26) within which there is fixed, to at least one of these side members, in a median position thereof, an electrical connector (20, 21) having the shape of a sleeve which is leaktightly fitted onto the end of the support (3) of each of the lengths which are to be joined, the joint being factory preassembled with one of the lengths.

Description

Hidden electrical end connection and preferably sealed for prefabricated pipe sections electric, pre-mounted in one of the sections.

The present invention relates to a connection with hidden electric end and preferably tight for sections prefabricated electrical ducting, in particular ducting suspended or more generally "in sight", the connection being pre-assembled or being susceptible to Pre-assembly in one of the sections.

The fact that in buildings is known public, offices, shopping centers and the like, the power electric is distributed, very often, by means of a visible suspended electrical conduit that may be configured according to various requirements, and in which they can make electrical connections at any point along its length by means of electrical plugs inserted in the canalization.

This pipeline is built by connecting between yes pre-fabricated modular elements or sections that must meet a plurality of requirements, such as security of the system, simplicity and convenience of isolation, a factor very important for a suspended pipeline, components electric watertight and, not least, concordance with the aesthetic standards

These requirements must also be satisfied. by devices or joints that connect mechanics and electrically with each other the different modular elements Pre-fabricated that form the system.

Reconciling all these requirements requires in general the solution of a variety of problems that are only partially resolved by the known technique, satisfying some of the requirements to the detriment of others.

For example, US 5,614,697 provides an electrical conduit comprising elements prefabricated watertight modules that are connected end with end by means of connection devices that ensure a tight connection, but that are not aesthetically satisfactory because they interrupt the continuity of the form of the channeling with visible visible parts.

In addition to this, the installation of the connection is laborious because the connection cannot be pre-assembled with a section of pipeline in the factory, but must be mounted on site .

Document DE 10025646 discloses a device hidden end connection, comprising a metal seat that fits inside both ends of two sections of electrical channeling The metal seat is equipped with electrical connectors that, in turn, receive bare ends of conductive bars housed in the electrical conduit.

The arrangement described is not suitable for Get tight electrical connections.

A similar provision is proposed in the US 6,296,498, in which an end connector, consisting of in an insulating body, from whose conductor they protrude laterally contact members, fits inside each other ends of two sections of electrical channeling, and establishes the electrical connection between conductive bars housed in both sections of channeling.

Even this provision is inappropriate for get a tight electrical connection, and also does not provide a adequate mechanical stiffness because the mechanical coupling is secured only by the insulating connector body.

Document IT 1227757 proposes a device of hidden end connection for electrical channeling of waterproof coupling that houses loose cables.

A metal seat provides a coupling mechanical seal, but no electrical connector is provided. The connection simply consists of a mechanical coupling, and if an electrical connection has to be provided, this requires devices for electrical connections and a laborious operation of separate and independent assembly of the mechanical coupling.

The present invention remedies these problems and provides an electrical end connection that is waterproof, invisible, which is contained entirely, and hidden, in the inside the pipeline, and that can be pre-assembled with a pipe element, causing the connection operation of the connecting sections in the Installation place is particularly simple and easy.

In addition to all this, it has a structure extremely simple low cost, which is easy to manufacture and that It can be assembled with electrical modules and a single component mechanical to meet various application requirements.

The invention is characterized by claims, and their advantages will be more apparent from of the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, exploded, of a preferred embodiment of an end connection electrical and a terminal portion of a pipe section electrical in which the connection is intended to be connected;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, exploded, of a preferred embodiment of the electrical connector for  the connection of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connection of Figure 1, pre-mounted with the end of a section of channeling.

With reference to Figure 1, before entering the specific detail of the modular interconnection system is It is advisable to consider a preferred embodiment of the section of pipeline in which the end connection is intended to be connected.

Pipe section 1 comprises essentially a rectilinear, curved sheet metal envelope 2 or extruded light alloy, which forms a channel opened by below, on whose sides two rectilinear supports 3 are housed identical extruded from insulating plastic material.

According to the requirements of the application, the envelope 2 can accommodate only one of the two supports.

In support 3, which has a section transverse rectangular, a plurality of grooves have been formed parallel rectilinear open on one side of the support, in each of which a conductive member is housed.

In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the Figure 1, the slots are a number of six, and house four bars conductors that have a T-cross section, coextruded with the support (whose material includes the end stop) for the distribution of a three phase voltage / current system and its neutral, as well as two conductive bars of cross section circular for a single phase auxiliary voltage.

The slots are tightly sealed, except at its ends, using a sheet 4 of insulating plastic perforable, welded or extruded on the total surface of the support in which the slots open.

As shown in the detail of Figure 1, in which the envelope 2 is partially removed to show its interior, on the side of the support 3 opposite to the one on which open the grooves and on the lower and upper surfaces of the support, there are nerves 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 separators that position the support at a convenient distance from the inner face of the envelope 2.

Nerves 5 and 9 separators also give rise to a quick connection of the support 3 on the envelope 2, which It is properly configured for this purpose.

In particular, the side walls 10, 11 of the envelope 2 ends at the bottom of a seat 12, 13 internally curved that acts as support for the supports 3, and in the one that inserts the nerve 9 of the supports. Eventually, the free ends of the two seats 12, 13 form a tooth of continuous hitch for quick coupling of a removable panel that closes the envelope.

In turn, the upper wall of the envelope it has a pair of internal nerves 14, 15 separated by a channel 16.

The rib 5 of the brackets 3 fits so fast with the sides of the nerves 14, 15.

For a more detailed description of this channeling, which is not essential for the purposes of this invention, reference must be made to the European Patent Application EP 06425836.1, deposited on 12/14/2006.

It is important to note that nerves 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 separators, even if they were obtained through the extrusion process of support 3, do not extend to length total support, but, as illustrated in Figure 1, are interrupted as a result of partial removal from the same, by milling or cutting during the process of production, at a convenient distance from the end of the envelope 2. This applies to the other end, which has not been illustrated.

In particular, nerve 5, which extends from the upper surface of the support, it is interrupted to a convenient distance L1, while the other nerves 6-9 are interrupted at a distance L2 Convenient that it is smaller than L1.

In this way, the end portion of the support 3 has no obstacle outside its section rectangular cross section in a section of the envelope equal to L2

It should also be appreciated that the extremes of the brackets 3 are not flush with the end of envelope 2, but they are further back than the latter in a distance L3.

This is due to reasons that will result more evident in what follows.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the nerves 14, 15 they have holes 17, 18 at a convenient distance from the end of envelope 2, obviously made during the process of production, for the introduction of fixing rivets or threaded inserts attached to the envelope by caulking, again in the course of the manufacturing process.

In its detail, Figure 1 shows only one end of the pipe section, but it is clear that the end opposite looks the same.

Actually, the only difference may consist in which, while one of the holes 17, 18 is provided with a threaded insert (hole 18 in Figure 1) at one end, the Threaded inserts are not present at the other end.

In order to connect pipe sections such as the one described, in which it can only be present one of the supports 3, mechanically and electrically connected, is used advantageously a modular connection comprising a seat 19 obtained by cutting and curving a metal sheet and at least one electrical connector 20 or, depending on the needs of the user, a pair of identical electrical connectors 20, 21.

Seat 19, which has a profile that is symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis 22, it comprises a plate 23 rectangular that extends over a length equal to 2L1 (of form indicative, 300 mm) and a width (indicatively, 79 mm) such which can be inserted, with some play, in envelope 2, at length of nerves 14, 15.

Plate 23 has a nerve 24 in the direction of its length, which is inserted with minimum play in channel 16 of the envelope 2.

The plate extends laterally in the form of two parallel side members 25, 26, which are curved towards below and ending in two lips 27, 28 parallel to plate 23, and They face each other.

The length of the lateral limbs in the nerve direction 24 is equal to 2L2 (indicatively, 206 mm), and its size is such that they can be inserted inside the envelope 2 with some play without interfering with the supports 3, with the lips located inside the seats 12, 13 of The envelope

Obviously, nerves 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support (or of the supports) 3, form a stop that defines the depth at which seat 19 can be inserted in the envelope, which is equal to exactly half of the dimension longitudinal of the seat.

In order to absorb the vertical play, the lips 27, 28 are provided with projections 29, 30, 21, 32 in their ends (obtained in the process of cutting and bending), which extend down and that are relatively elastic (so that specifically as a type of leaf spring), which, interfering with the seats 12, 13 of the envelope 2, press plate 23 towards its contact with nerves 14, 15 of the envelope

For its part, nerve 24 ensures, by fit in channel 16, a transverse and axial positioning precise of the seat 19 in relation to the envelope 2.

Openings 33, 34, 35, 36 and suitable grooves 37, 38 have been provided in the plate 23, and when the seat 19 is inserted in two adjacent envelopes, they are aligned with the corresponding openings 17, 18 provided in the envelopes, and they allow the seat to be fixed to the enclosures by means of rivets if the seat is pre-assembled with one of the envelopes, or by means of a screw that fits with the threaded insert provided with chamfer in the opening 18 in the case of a on-site assembly

The purpose of all this is to avoid have to have a riveter at the installation point, the assembly being then carried out with the use of a ordinary screwdriver

The assembly is further simplified partially pre-screwing the screw in the chamfered threaded insert of hole 18 to which the slot 38 of plate 23, so that the presence of the screw does not interfere with the insertion of the plate 23 into the envelope.

In this way, the assembly is reduced to Screw only the screw.

In order to connect the connectors 20, 21 with the seat 19, the latter is also provided with openings appropriate identified as a whole by the number of reference 39, in which corresponding nerves are housed that project from the external walls of the connectors, being these also identified together by the number of reference 40.

The connection between the openings 39 and the ribs 40, ensures that the connectors are precisely positioned in the inside of lateral members 25, 26, and prevent any dislocation of the connectors when the seat 19 is inserted into each of the two envelopes that have to be butt joined.

The connectors 20, 21 are anchored in the seat 19 by means of two elastic tabs 41, 42 corresponding, formed on plate 23 by cutting and bent.

These tabs form a pair of teeth that constitute a quick connection with an edge of the connectors provided for this purpose with a convenient recess 43, pressing the teeth the connectors in contact with the inside of the members 25, 26 lateral.

The connectors 20, 21 essentially comprise prismatic sleeves of insulating plastic material which, when the Seat 19 is inserted at the ends of two sections of pipe, they are coupled on the ends of supports 3 housed in the same.

Double metal clamps are planned in The inside of the connectors.

The clamps, by penetration of the grooves on the supports 3 without interfering with the plastic sheet 4 which hermetically seals the grooves, hook the ends of the conductive bars housed therein between clamps

To complement the description, Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of these connectors with a view in perspective awakened.

The connector of Figure 2 comprises two housings 44, 45 of insulating plastic material, opened by the ends that engage each other by partial overlap of the edges 46, 47.

In one of the housings, in particular the housing 44, at the ends of each of the two edges 46, 48 of coupling, a pair of teeth 49, 50 (being only one pair visible in Figure 2).

The teeth project externally and form a quick connection with corresponding eyes 51, 52, 53 relatively elastic (a fourth eye is not visible), formed in the mating edges of the other housing 45.

Once the two housings have been joined each other, the overlapping edges are welded together conveniently by ultrasonic welding, to form a tight junction.

Near the open ends, the two housings they have been internally equipped with a seal 58, 59 elastic, which is advantageously, but not necessarily, co-molded together with the housings.

The internal cross section of the sleeve as well formed, is substantially identical to that of the supports 3 (Figure 1), so that the sleeve can be coupled over the ends of the two supports that butt each other, and ensure a union watertight

In order to help the insertion of ends of the support in the sleeve, the latter has been equipped with fins 54, 55, 56, 57 with a wedge-shaped cross section, that are projected from the two openings. These fins make it is possible to align the sleeve and the ends of the supports precise way, in transverse direction, so that the insertion take place without damaging sheet 4 (Figure 1) of insulating plastic, which hermetically seals the recesses in which the bars are housed conductive

Inside the two carcasses 44, 45, in their middle portion, there is a plurality of dividing partitions and teeth, identified jointly and respectively by reference numbers 60 and 61, which form a plurality of housings for double electric contact clamps, in a number equal to the number of connection bars to be connected, of which only one, 62, has been shown in correct position in its housing for ease of drawing.

Figure 2 again shows an embodiment Preferred contact clamps, by sight exploded, these comprising a contact member 63 obtained by double curving a copper plate coated with tin or silver coated, shaped H by die cutting with mold, and a leaf spring 64, also obtained by double curved from a spring steel plate (or stainless steel), in H. shape

The spring 64, which is mounted so that it superimposes the contact member 63, in the form of a seat, exerts the necessary contact pressure on the pair of clamps 65, 66 formed by contact member 63.

A simpler form of double clamp contact comprising a single contact member, made in this case with phosphor bronze and identified by the number of reference 67, can be used to connect the conductors of auxiliary voltage, which generally have to carry currents lower, on the order of a few amps.

Alternatively, clamps can be used Multiple contact cage type, are a possible spring of steel compression, once part of the insulating material of the support 3 has been removed from the end of the supports 3 by milling in order to expose the full end of auxiliary voltage conductors.

In Figure 2, the longitudinal extension (is that is, in the direction of insertion of the supports 3) of the 60 partition walls, is equal to the dimension of teeth 61 in the same address, and equal to twice L3 (Figure 1).

This is so to avoid interference with the 3 brackets when these are inserted into the connector.

It is, however, obvious that, in order to improve insulation between drivers, in terms of surface resistance, 60 partition walls can be of longer, always between the seals 58, 59, a once proper channels have been made to receive these extensions at the end of the brackets 3.

Figure 3 shows the connection described in above, pre-assembled at the factory with a section of channeling 1, perspective view.

It can be clearly seen that seat 19 metallic has a half inserted in the metallic envelope 2 of the channeling, and is subject to it by rivets, one of which, 68, can be seen in the Figure.

Sleeve connectors, of which one 21 can be appreciated in the Figure, and each of which is coupled at half its length at the end of a support 3 corresponding for conductive bars, are anchored correctly inside the seat.

It should not be forgotten, however, that the modular nature of the connection (and the pipe sections) makes it possible to anticipate the presence of a single connector in the connection, located inside only one of the sides of the seat.

The pre-assembly of the connection with a pipe section simplifies the installation work on site .

As shown in Figure 3, the connection of end between two sections of pipeline 1 and 69, requires simply that the two sections are fully coupled to each other, and that the exposed part of seat 19 is inserted in the second channeling 69.

When the operation is carried out with a section 1 already coupled and suspended, it is obvious that the seat 19 acts as a support seat for section 69 to be connected, and the operation becomes easier.

Once the insertion is complete, the section 69 can be attached to section 1 with a screw that passes to through slot 37, which has been pre-screwed in a threaded insert provided at the end of the envelope 70 of section 69.

The screw is tightened using a ordinary screwdriver inserted into the envelope through its  bottom opening

As an alternative, it is considered more convenient, or at the same time it is also possible to provide one or two threaded inserts, such as insert 71 of Figure 3, located in a nerve 24 of sorry 19 in which the tightening screws of the inserts are introduced through openings 72 provided in the envelope 70, in this case screwed from the outside, is say, from the top of the envelope.

It should be appreciated that the fastening of the seat to the two envelopes by means of screws or rivets ensures the electrical continuity between the envelopes, so that these They can be used as ground conductors.

A preferred embodiment has been presented in the description above and in the attached Figures, but it is Of course, many variants can be foreseen.

For example, seat 19, instead of including connectors 20, 21 inside (Figure 1), a preferred solution since that way the connectors are protected by the seat during all pre-assembly phases, the movement and connection installation can be provided to mount connectors externally on its sides.

In this case, seat 19, instead of having lips 27 and 28 opposite each other, may be provided with wings divergent ending in lips that fit with seats 12, 13 of the envelope and that, at the same time, support the connectors 20, 21.

Also, if the requirement of a waterproof electrical connection and the supports of the conductive bars they do not have any sheet 4 of insulating plastic, the two housings 44, 45 (Figure 2) that form the connectors may not have Seals 58, 59 elastic and can be joined simply with each other through a quick connection with teeth 49, 50 that hook into corresponding eyes 51, 52, 53 without it is necessary to weld the overlapping edges of the housings each.

Thus, the different requirements of the application can be satisfied using the same structure basic modular with substantial savings in the processes of manufacturing and consumption of materials.

Claims (7)

1. End electrical connection, for sections (1, 69) prefabricated electrical pipes, in which sections of a metal envelope (2, 70) housing at least one support (3) of insulating material having a plurality of rectilinear grooves, each housing a conductive bar, the ends of said at least one support (3) separated by said envelope, said end connection comprising: - a metal seat (19), which can be inserted axially up to half its length at the end of the envelope (2) of a first section (1) prefabricated, and with its other half at the end of the envelope (70) of a second section (69) prefabricated that stops with the first, extending said seat (19) by way of two lateral members (25, 26), - at least one electrical connector (20, 21), fixed in a middle position on one of said lateral members (20, 21), characterized in that said seat is provided with openings (33, 34, 35, 36, 37) for the mechanical fastening thereof to the envelopes of said first and second sections by means of screws and / or rivets, and because said connector (20, 21) is in the form of a sleeve that is coupled at the end of said at least one support (3) of the two adjacent sections (1, 69). 2. Electrical connection according to the claim 1, comprising a pair of connectors (20, 21) identical electric, each subject to one of said members (25, 26) lateral and inside them. 3. Electrical connection according to the claim 1 or 2, wherein said connector (s) or connectors (20, 21) are provided, inside the sleeve, with elastic seals (58, 59) that ensure that said sleeve is connected tightly with the ends of the brackets (3) inserted in it. 4. Electrical connection according to a any of the preceding claims, wherein said connector (s) or connectors have ribs (40) in their external walls, which find accommodation in openings (39) corresponding of said seat (19), to ensure the positioning of said connectors in relation to the aforementioned seat, said seat being provided with means (41, 42) for a quick fastening of said connectors in said seat. 5. Electrical connection according to a any of the preceding claims, wherein said seat (19) has means (24, 29, 30, 31, 32) to absorb the play in at least one direction transverse to the direction of insertion when the seat is inserted. 6. Electrical connection according to a any of the preceding claims, wherein said connector (s) or connectors have wings (54, 55, 56, 57) with wedge-shaped cross section, extending from the opposite openings of the sleeve to guide the insertion of the end of supports (3) in said sleeve. 7. Electrical connection according to a any of the preceding claims, pre-mounted in a pipe section (1).