EP2936638A1

EP2936638A1 - Electrical housing for electrical equipment

Info

Publication number: EP2936638A1
Application number: EP13821868.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jérome Longeville; Gokularajah GANESARATNAM
Original assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Current assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Priority date: 2012-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2015-10-28
Also published as: FR3000312A1; AU2013366228B2; CN104885318B; FR3000312B1; WO2014096674A1; AU2013366228A1; US20150325992A1; CN104885318A; BR112015012600A2; US9627870B2

Abstract

The invention pertains to an electrical housing (100) comprising a body (110) that has a side wall (111) closed on the rear by a back wall (112) for delimiting an inner volume accommodating at least one piece of electrical equipment. According to the invention, that electrical housing comprises at least one metal electrical connection element (130, 140, 150) that is fastened to said body and comprises an inner terminal for connecting said electrical equipment, and an outer terminal (132, 142, 152) located outside the body for connecting an electrical conductor, said back wall being built to give access through said inner volume to the inner terminal of said metal electrical connection element.

Description

ELECTRICAL BOX FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES The present invention relates generally to the fitting of electrical equipment inside various walls.

It relates more particularly to an electrical box comprising: - a body which has a side wall closed at the rear by a bottom wall to define an interior receiving volume of at least one electrical equipment, and

at least one metallic electrical connection element which is fixed to said body and which has an internal terminal for the connection of said electrical equipment, and an external terminal which is located outside the body for the connection of an electrical conductor, said bottom wall being arranged to give access by said interior volume to the inner terminal of said metallic electrical connection element.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the production of an electrical box recess for hollow partition, intended to receive various mechanisms of electrical equipment such as a switch mechanism, back and forth, dimmer electrical socket, socket, network jack (RJ45), phone jack (RJ1 1), indicator, or sensor (smoke, flood, temperature, movement or light).

BACKGROUND

Generally, the bodies of the electrical boxes comprise, internally, means for securing an equipment support, and, externally, fastening means to the wall. The equipment support makes it possible to mount any type of equipment mechanism in the interior volume of the body of the electrical box, by simple snapping of this equipment mechanism on the equipment support.

In addition, the bodies of the known electric boxes are usually provided at the rear with knockouts that allow the wall of the body to be opened locally in order to introduce electrical sheaths into its interior volume from which electrical conductors necessary for serving the mechanism emerge. of equipment attached to the equipment support.

The bodies of these electrical boxes have standard sizes. Thus, commonly, the body of a circular box to recess has a standard diameter of 68 millimeters and a usual depth of 40 millimeters.

The internal volume of the body of such an electrical box is then reduced and it is not easy to accommodate not only the equipment mechanism mounted on the equipment support, but also the ends of the electrical conductors that have been pulled into the interior volume of the body of the electrical box to connect to the equipment mechanism, in particular due to the rigidity of the electrical conductors that must be folded between the fitting mechanism and the bottom wall of the body of the box and the place that can take the end of the sheath.

This interior volume also restricts the possibilities of evolution of electrical equipment which, because of their limited size, can not indeed integrate all the desired functions.

The solution currently used to house large electrical equipment then consists of providing two electrical boxes next to each other, one of which houses the electrical equipment while the other houses the electrical conductors.

This solution is however expensive and tedious to implement.

Document US4669804 discloses an electrical box which is equipped with terminals for connection to electrical wires coming from the local electrical network.

The electrical box more specifically comprises a body, three electrical connection elements, and a rear block to report to the back of the body.

The body has a side wall which is closed at the rear by a bottom wall to define an interior receiving volume of an equipment mechanism, and which is lined at the front by a peripheral sidewalk adapted to support against the wall.

The three electrical connection elements are located at the rear of the bottom wall of the body. They are each accessible by the internal volume of the body, through three windows provided in the bottom wall of the body, and they each have an outer terminal.

The back block is intended to be attached to the back of the body, in order to block the three electrical wires in the outer terminals of the three electrical connection elements.

This rear block is arranged in such a way that it does not require cutting the three electric wires. On the contrary, it is intended to connect the electrical box on the path of the three electrical son.

The major drawback of this electrical box is that the connection of the electrical wires to the external terminals is difficult to implement.

Indeed, this connection requires access to the back of the wall to position the electrical son in the rear block, then to bring the back block on the body. In practice, the installer rarely has access to the back of the wall.

Another disadvantage of this electrical box is that, as described, the connection of the electrical son requires to bring the back block against the body, in a translational movement. This is the reason why the rear body is distinct from the body and is not mounted on the body. The number of separate elements to be handled by the installer is important, which complicates his work and increases the risk of loss of any of the components of the electrical box.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a new electrical box which, on the one hand, does not require introducing the electrical conductors into the interior volume of the body of the electrical box in order to connecting the equipment mechanism to the local electrical network, and, on the other hand, has a reduced number of components dissociated.

More particularly, according to the invention, an electrical box as defined in the introduction, in which there is provided a cover movably mounted at the rear of said body between an open position in which it discovers said outer terminal and a closed position, is provided. in which it covers said outer terminal.

Thus, thanks to the invention, the electrical conductors are connected to the outside of the body of the electrical box and they do not fit inside of it, so that the entire internal volume of this body can be used to house large electrical equipment. Wiring operations are also easier to implement, since they are no longer performed in or close to the interior of the body, but they are instead performed outside the body.

The use of one or more movably mounted covers on the body also makes it possible to prevent any loss of this cover.

Advantageously, in the closed position, each cap delimits with the body a passage of electrical conductors, which extends at least partially to the rear of the electrical box.

The position of this passage of electrical conductors, at the rear of the electrical box, then makes it possible to connect the electrical conductors to the box when the latter is still located outside the wall, then to push the box back into the wall without the electrical conductors preventing this backflow.

Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the electrical box according to the invention are the following:

each metal electrical connection element comprises at least one other external terminal which is located outside the body for the transposition of at least one other electrical conductor;

- There is provided another cover mounted movably on said body, at the rear of said body, between an open position in which it discovers said other outer terminal of each metallic electrical connection element and a closed position in which it covers said other terminal exterior of each metallic electrical connection element;

each hood is pivotally mounted on said body;

said body comprises means for locking each hood in the closed position;

- Said passage allows the engagement of a guide of electrical conductors, the cover and / or the body having locking means of said guide;

each external terminal being a self-stripping terminal provided with means for piercing an insulating sheath of said electrical conductor, each cover comprises a bearing part which is adapted to press said electrical conductor onto said piercing means to pierce the insulating sheath of said conductor electric through the movement of the hood from its open position to its closed position;

- There are three metal electrical connection elements which are fixed in the bottom wall of the body so as to be electrically isolated from each other;

the inner terminal of each metallic electrical connection element has a plane contact face;

each metal electrical connection element is formed in one piece by cutting and folding a strip;

the body is made in one piece by molding an insulating synthetic material;

- The body is intended to be recessed and it comprises an outer peripheral rim along the front edge of its side wall and hooking means projecting from its side wall.

The invention also proposes an electrical assembly comprising an electrical box as mentioned above and an electrical apparatus which comprises fastening means fixed to said body and connection means connected to the inner terminal of each metallic electrical connection element fixed to said body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be achieved.

In the accompanying drawings:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of an electrical box according to the invention, on which also appears electrical equipment;

- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective rear view of the electrical box of Figure 1, on which one of the covers of the electrical box is open;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of the electrical box of FIG. 1 in a recessed position in a wall, and of the electrical equipment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear perspective view of the box electric of Figure 1, on which the covers of the electrical box are closed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, on which one of the covers has been removed;

- Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, in which a rear plate of the electrical box has also been removed;

FIG. 7 is a schematic rear perspective view of a second embodiment of the electrical box according to the invention;

- Figure 8 is a schematic front perspective view of the electrical box of Figure 7 in a recessed position in a wall, on which also appears electrical equipment;

- Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of the electrical box of Figure 7;

- Figures 10 and 1 1 are schematic sectional views along the planes A-A and B-B of Figure 9.

The installation of electrical equipment on a wall requires the use of an electrical box. Such an electrical box makes it possible not only to rigidly fix the electrical equipment to the wall but also to protect it.

By electrical equipment means any type of equipment such as a power socket, a switch, a back and forth, an electric drive, a network jack (RJ45), a telephone jack (RJ1 1), a seeing, or a detector (smoke, flood, temperature, movement or light).

FIGS. 1 to 6 show, on the one hand, and in FIGS. 7 to 11, on the other hand, two embodiments of an electrical box 100; 200 home of an electrical equipment 10; 70.

In these two embodiments, it is an electrical box to be built into a cavity in a wall.

In the description, the terms "front" and "back" will then be used relative to the direction of the gaze of the installer of the electrical box in this cavity. In the examples shown, the terms front and rear respectively designate the place facing the installer of the electrical box and the place facing the bottom of the cavity.

As shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 7, in these two embodiments, the electrical box 100; 200 comprises a body 1 10; 210 which here has a generally cylindrical shape but which could of course have a different shape, including parallelepiped.

This body has a side wall January 1; 21 1 tubular of revolution about an axis A1; A2, which is closed at the rear by a bottom wall 1 12; 212.

For its fixation in the cavity made in the wall, the body

1 10; 210 has a peripheral flange 1 1 1 A; 21 1 To which runs externally the front edge of its side wall 1 1 1; 21 1 and which is adapted to bear against the front face of the wall, all around the cavity. Thus, this peripheral flange 1 1 1A; 21 1A allows retaining the body 1 10 backwards; 210 of the electrical box 100; 200 in its cavity.

For its retention forward, the body 1 10; 210 comprises hooking means 1 16; 216 which are adapted to catch inside the cavity. These means of hanging 1 16; 216 will be more precisely described later in this presentation.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the electrical box 100; 200 comprises at least one metallic electrical connection element 130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250 which is fixed to the body 1 10; 210 and which has an inner terminal 131, 141, 151; 231, 241, 251 for the connection of said electrical equipment 10; 70, and an outer terminal 132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252 which is located outside the body 1 10; 210 for connecting an electrical conductor 63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95 (in this case an insulated electrical wire), said bottom wall 1 12; 212 being arranged to give access by the interior volume 1 10B; 210B of the body 1 10; 210 to the inner terminal 131, 141, 151; 231, 241, 251 of said metallic electrical connection member 130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250.

It is more specifically provided, in the two embodiments shown, three metal electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250 called phase, neutral and earth. These three metallic electrical connection elements thus make it possible to connect three electrical conductors 63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95 (connected to the local electrical network) at the rear of the box, so that the internal terminals of these three metallic electrical connection elements provide access to the inside of the body of the electrical box electrical apparatus 10; 70 to the local power grid. Preferably, the electrical box 100; 200 also has a hood 180; 280 which is movably mounted at the rear of the body 1 10; 210, between an open position in which it discovers the outer terminal 132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252 of each metallic electrical connection element 130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250 and a closed position in which it covers this outer terminal 132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252.

This hood 180; 280 thus makes it possible to protect the zone where the connection of the electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 takes place; 93, 94, 95 at outer terminals 132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252 metallic electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250.

The body 1 10; 210, the metallic electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250 and each cover 180; 280 will be better described in the remainder of this presentation, in connection with the two embodiments shown in the figures.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in the first embodiment, the electrical box 100 is designed to accommodate an electrical equipment 10.

This electrical apparatus 10 comprises a base 1 1 cylindrical which is closed at the front by a front wall 12 and which is open at the rear, and a cover (not visible in the figures) which closes the rear opening of the base 1 1.

The base 1 1 houses an equipment mechanism, which gives the electrical equipment its function (socket, switch, ...).

The front wall 12 here has a circular opening through which emerges the functional part of the fitting mechanism. Here, the equipment mechanism being a socket mechanism, the functional part is formed by a well insertion of an electrical plug.

This electrical equipment 10 is not the subject of the present invention, it will not be described in more detail here.

As shown in FIG. 1, to block this electrical equipment 10 inside the body 1 10, the electrical box 100 comprises suitable fixing means, which are here in the form of two rectangular windows 1 17 cut in the wall lateral 1 1 1 of the body 1 10.

These two rectangular windows 1 17 are located diametrically opposite to the axis A1. They run along the ledge device 1 1 1 A such that latching means 17 provided in correspondence on the base 1 1 of the electrical equipment 10 can hang on it.

In this case, these latching means 17 comprise two bending tabs 17A which are cut in the side wall of the base 1 1 of the electrical equipment 10 and which each carry, on their outer faces, a ratchet tooth 17B .

The two bending tabs 17A are located diametrically opposite to the axis A1, and extend in length from the front edge of the side wall of the base 1 1 to the rear. Each bending lug 17A has a rectangle shape with three of the edges are free and whose fourth edge, namely here the rear edge, is connected to the side wall of the base 1 1 to form a hinge.

Each ratchet tooth 17B is located at a distance from the rear edge of the corresponding bending tab 17A. Each ratchet tooth 17B has a plane front face orthogonal to the axis A1, which is adapted to hook to the front edge of the corresponding rectangular window 1 17 of the body 1 10, and a rear face inclined relative to the A1 axis, which forms a ramp allowing the bending lug 17A to deform elastically inwardly when the base 1 1 is engaged in the body 1 10.

As shown in Figure 1, in this first embodiment, the electrical box 100 is intended to be embedded in a hollow partition.

It is recalled in this regard that, in known manner, such a hollow partition is generally composed of a metal frame (formed of vertical uprights and horizontal rails) and gypsum panels reported on at least one of the two faces of the wall. 'metal frame.

The cavity made in this hollow partition is then simply formed by a circular opening made with a hole saw in one of the plasterboards.

The hooking means 1 16 of the body 1 10 of the electrical box 100 in this circular opening, which allow to retain the body 1 10 forwards, are here formed by snap-fastening means 1 16.

In the present case, these latching means 1 16 comprise two bending tabs 1 16A which are cut into the side wall of the body 1 10 and which bear each on their outer faces a ratchet tooth 1 16B.

The two bending tabs 16A are located diametrically opposite to the axis A1, and extend in length from the front edge of the side wall of the body 10 to the rear. Each bending lug 1 16A has a rectangle shape with three of the edges are free and whose fourth edge, namely here the rear edge, is connected to the side wall of the body 1 10 to form a hinge.

Each ratchet tooth 1 16B is then located near the front edge of the corresponding bending tab 1 16A. Each ratchet tooth 1 16B has a flat front face orthogonal to the axis A1, which is adapted to hook to the rear face of the corresponding plasterboard, and a rear face inclined relative to the axis A1, which forms a ramp allowing the bending lug 1 16A to deform elastically inwardly when the body 1 10 is engaged in the circular opening made in the plasterboard.

As shown in FIG. 3, the body 1 has in its bottom wall 1 12 three openings 1, 1, 1, 14, 1, 15, aligned through which the three electrical connection metal elements 130, 140 are respectively engaged and fixed. 150.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of these three metallic electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150 comprises, in addition to an internal terminal 131, 141, 151 and an external supply terminal 132, 142, 152, an external terminal of transplanting 133, 143, 153.

Whereas the external supply terminal 132, 142, 152 of each metallic electrical connection element 130, 140, 150 is designed to be connected to an electrical conductor connected to the local electrical network in order to supply the inner terminal 131, 141, 151 corresponding current, external external terminal 133, 143, 153 allows to connect another electrical box bypass the electrical box 100 considered.

Alternatively, it could of course be provided that each of the three metallic electrical connection elements comprises only an inner terminal and an external power supply terminal.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, each of these three metal electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150 is formed in one piece, here obtained by cutting and folding a copper strip. These three metal electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150 have homologous shapes.

Thus, each metallic electrical connection element 130, 140, 150 comprises a main lamella 134, 144, 154, of rectangular shape, which is pressed against the rear face of the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10 so that extend in a plane orthogonal to the axis A1. The central part of this main leaflet 134, 144, 154 carries a platform which is situated at the front of the main leaflet and which is engaged through the corresponding opening 13, 14, 15 provided in FIG. bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10. Both ends of this main plate are folded at right angles to the rear.

The platform carried by the main lamella forms the inner terminal 131, 141, 151 of the metallic electrical connection element 130, 140, 150. As shown in FIG. 3, its plane shape allows simple electrical contacts provided for in FIG. the back of the base 1 1 of the electrical equipment 10 to connect.

The two ends of the main strip form the outer supply terminals 132, 142, 152 and subconnect 133, 143, 153 of the electrical connection element 130, 140, 150.

These external supply and transfer terminals 132, 142, 152,

133, 143, 153 are in the form of slats so as to be self-stripping.

As shown more particularly in Figure 1, the rear side of each outer terminal 132, 142, 152, 133, 143, 153 comprises a slot having a V mouth whose two side edges are sharpened to cut the insulating sheath of the driver electric. The bottom of this slot is itself rectangular to come into contact with the conductive core of the electrical conductor to establish a connection between the outer terminal and the electrical conductor.

As shown in FIG. 1, in order to retain the metallic electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150 through the openings 1 13, 1 14, 1 15 made in the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10, here it is provided a rear plate 160 generally circular, the front face is adapted to be applied against the rear faces of the main plates 134, 144, 154 elements electrical connection wires 130, 140, 150.

The fixing of this rear plate 160 against the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10 is here ensured by four detent teeth 161 which project from the edge of the rear plate 160 and which are adapted to snap into four housings provided in correspondence in the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10.

This rear plate 160 has two notches 162 diametrically opposed for the passage of four axes 1 12A (see Figure 6) which are carried by the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10 and whose function will be detailed in the following this presentation.

The rear plate 160 also has six slots 163 for the passage of the six external supply and transfer terminals 132, 142, 152, 133, 143, 153 of the electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150, so that these terminals remain accessible at the rear of the backplate 160.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, this rear plate 160 carries, projecting on its rear face, grooved studs 164, in the grooves of which are engaged the side edges of the external supply terminals and transplanting 132, 142, 152 , 133, 143, 153, which makes it possible to stiffen these external terminals. It also carries, projecting on its rear face, regularly spaced studs 165 which make it possible to block the electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 in the axis of the external supply and transfer terminals 132, 142, 152, 133, 143 , 153.

In this first embodiment of the electrical box 100, two covers 180 are provided, one of which is adapted to cover the external supply terminals 132, 142, 152 of the electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150 while that the other is adapted to cover the outer terminals for subconnecting 133, 143, 153 of these metallic electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150.

Each cover 180 generally has a half-disk shape, to cover substantially half of the rear face of the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10. Each cover 180 thus has a straight edge and a semicircular edge.

When these covers 180 are in the closed position on the bottom wall of the body, the electrical box 100 has standard dimensions, that is to say an outer diameter of 68 millimeters and a depth of 40 millimeters.

Each of the hoods 180 is rotatably mounted at the rear of the body 1 10, about an axis parallel to its right edge, between an open position and a closed position.

The four axes 1 12A described above, which appear well in Figures 5 and 6, are designed to allow this mobility in rotation.

Each of these axes 1 12A is for this purpose in the form of a cylindrical rod of axis orthogonal to the axis A1, which is kept at a distance from the rear face of the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10 by spacers.

Two coaxial axes 1 12A are thus provided to allow the rotation of each cover 180. The coaxial axes 1 12A of the one and the other of the covers 180 are aligned along two parallel axes, located at a short distance from each other. 'other.

As shown in Figure 2, each cover 180 has in correspondence, along its right edge, four hooks 182 which form bearings for receiving the axes 1 12A for the rotation of the cover 180 on the body 1 10. These hooks 182 are clipped in pairs on the two axes 1 12A corresponding coaxial.

In the open position (FIG. 2), each cover 180 extends generally at right angles to the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10.

In the closed position (see FIG. 4), each cover 180 extends generally parallel to the bottom wall 1 12.

The body 1 10 then comprises locking means 1 18 of each cap 180 in the closed position, which are here formed by latching means.

As shown in Figure 2, the body 1 10 more precisely has four rectangular recesses 1 10A regularly distributed about the axis A1, which are located at the junction between its side wall January 1 and its bottom wall 1 12. The latching means then comprise four teeth 1 18 which are respectively provided projecting from the center of these four rectangular recesses 1 10A.

As shown in FIG. 1, each cover 180 comprises in correspondence two rectangular panels 181 which rise from its semicircular edge, orthogonally thereto, and which have shapes complementary to those of the rectangular recesses 1 10A, with in particular a central cavity (not visible in the figures) provided hollow in the inner face.

When the covers 180 are folded in the closed position, these rectangular panels 181 are then adapted to be housed in the rectangular recesses 1 10A so that the teeth 1 18 provided protruding from the rectangular recesses 1 10A of the body 1 10 snap in the hollow recesses in the rectangular panels 181 of the covers 180.

As also shown in Figure 2, the inner face (facing the bottom wall of the body 1 10) of each cap 180 carries three supporting ribs 188. These support ribs 188 are located in such a way that when the 180 cover is folded in the closed position, they engage between the cutting edges of the V mouths of the three external supply and transplanting terminals 132, 142, 152, 133, 143, 153 corresponding, without however coming into contact with these last.

Thus, these support ribs 188 are adapted to push the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 between these cutting edges by closing the cover 180, which has the effect of cutting off their insulating sheaths and connecting their conductive cores. at the external supply and transfer terminals 132, 142, 152, 133, 143, 153 of the electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150.

In order to prevent the hood 180 from crushing the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 in the closed position, each cover 180 delimits with the body 1 10 a passage for the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65. extends at least partially on the bottom of the electrical box. In this way, the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 enter the electrical box not laterally but on the contrary, either from the rear of the box, or inclined with respect to the bottom wall 1 12 of the body 1 10 of the electrical box 1 10.

Here, this passage straddles the side and the bottom of the electrical box, so that the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 enter the electrical box in an inclined manner with respect to the bottom of the box.

This passage is specifically intended to allow the engagement of a guide 50 in which run the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65.

As shown in Figure 2, each cover 180 has for this purpose, in the center of its semicircular edge, a curved notch 189. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each guide is here formed by a tip 50 which is adapted to be engaged through this curved slot 189 and which is mounted at the end of an electrical sheath 60.

The electrical sheath 60 considered here is a corrugated sheath of flexible plastic.

This endpiece 50 has three distinct parts located in the extension of each other, including a tubular portion 51, a conical portion 52 and a fixing portion 53.

The tubular portion 51 has a diameter such that it can be engaged on the end of the electrical sheath 60. It has internally projections adapted to engage in the grooves provided in the electrical sheath 60, which allows to fix the end piece 50 on the end of the electrical sheath 60.

The conical portion 52 has, from the tubular portion 51 to the attachment portion 53, a section that is reduced and flattens. It thus opens on the fastening portion 53 by an oblong opening which forces the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 out of the endpiece 50 in a juxtaposed position.

The fixing portion 53 is in the form of a superposition of two generally rectangular and curved plates 53A, 53B, which extend substantially orthogonal to the output axis of the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65.

The wafer 53A located on the side of the conical portion 52 has a shape such that, when the cover 180 is folded over it in the closed position, it continuously fills the space defined between the curved notch 189 of the cover 180 and the body 1 10.

The other wafer 53B has greater dimensions, so that it can engage in a groove 1 19 recessed in the body 1 10, which has the effect of securely locking the endpiece 50 between the body 1 10 and the cover 180 when the cover 180 is in the closed position.

The body 1 10, the rear plate 160 and the covers 180 of the electrical box 100 are here each made in one piece by molding an insulating plastic material.

The installation of this electrical box 100 in a circular opening made in a plasterboard of a hollow partition is then carried out as follows. One or two electrical conduits 60, each housing three insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 of phase, neutral and earth, are first drawn outside the hollow partition, through the circular opening.

The installer then engages an endpiece 50 at the end of each electrical sheath 60, taking care to pass the three insulated electrical conductors housed in this electrical sheath 60 through this endpiece 50.

The installer then opens the cover or caps 180 of the electrical box 100 to discover the external terminals of the electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150 and engages the ends of the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 between the pads 165 of the rear plate 160, so that their non-stripped ends fit between the cutting edges of the V mouth of the outer terminals.

The installer then closes the hood (s) 180, taking care that the attachment portion (s) 53 of the end pieces 50 fit correctly between the covers 180 and the body 1 10, which ensures the immobilization of these end pieces 50.

During this closing, the ribs 188 provided inside the hood (s) 180 make it possible to force the cutting of the insulating sheaths of the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65, so that the conductive cores of these insulated electrical conductors 63, 64 , 65 automatically connect to the electrical connection elements 130, 140, 150.

The pads 165 allow them to block the electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 in the axis of external supply terminals and transplanting 132, 142, 152, 133, 143, 153, so that they do not ' do not escape from these terminals when the covers 180 are closed on the electrical conductors 63, 64, 65.

The holding in the closed position of the covers 180 is then ensured by the latching means 1 18.

Once the electrical box 100 and connected to the local electrical network, it is then engaged in the circular opening made in the plasterboard of the hollow wall. This commitment is not hampered by the insulated electrical conductors 63, 64, 65 since, thanks to the elasticity of these conductors, to the elasticity of the end pieces 50 and to the position of the end pieces 50 at the rear of the box, it is possible to fold the tips 50 backwards so that they can easily be pushed back through the circular opening made in the plasterboard of the hollow partition.

The electrical box 100 is correctly engaged in this circular opening when the peripheral flange 1 1 1 A of its body 1 10 comes into contact with the front face of this plasterboard and the teeth 1 16B of the latching means 1 16 of this body 1 10 cling to the rear face of this plasterboard.

Then, the electrical box 100 is ready to receive the electrical equipment 10, so that these two elements form a rigid assembly 1 perfectly fixed in the hollow wall.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment of the invention, the electrical box 200 is designed to accommodate an electrical apparatus 70 different from that shown in FIG.

The apparatus mechanism 72 of this electrical apparatus 70 is here again a plug-in mechanism. It comprises a rear base 73 generally parallelepipedic, which is closed at the front by a hubcap 74 having a well insertion of an electrical plug, and which lodges inside electrical terminals for the connection of the electrical plug.

The equipment support 71 of this electrical equipment 70 serves for its part to mount this equipment mechanism 72 inside the electrical box 200.

It is presented for this purpose in the form of a flat frame, here of square shape, which delimits a central opening also square.

This equipment support 71 comprises locking means 78 capable of enabling the attachment mechanism 72 to be fixed in its frame, and securing means 77 capable of enabling it to be fixed to the electrical box 200.

The locking means comprise an inner sidewalk 78 which runs along the inner peripheral edge of the frame and on the front face of which the trim 84 of the fitting mechanism 72 can be supported. Snap-fastening means provided on the rear base 73 of the Apparatus mechanism 72 are then adapted to hook onto the rear face of this inner sidewalk 78 to rigidly lock the fitting mechanism 72 within the apparatus support 71.

The securing means comprise here, in the center of each of the four branches of the frame, a hole 77 in the shape of a hole. lock.

The electrical box 200 comprises in correspondence two diametrically opposite screwing wells 222, axes parallel to the axis A2, which extend along the inner face of the side wall 21 1 of the body 210. These two screwing wells 222 rise from the bottom wall 212 of the body 210 up to the peripheral edge 21 1 A.

These two screwing wells 222 are adapted to receive the threaded rods of two screws 290 whose heads can then bear against the holes 77 in the form of keyholes of the equipment support 71, to rigidly fix the electrical equipment 70 in the electric box 200.

In this second embodiment, the electrical box 200 is also intended to be embedded in a cavity formed by a circular opening made in a plasterboard of a hollow partition.

The hooking means 216 of the body 210 in this circular opening here comprise two claw screws (not shown) housed in two recesses 216 diametrically opposed, provided recessed in the outer face of the side wall 21 1 of the body 210.

In known manner, each claw screw comprises a screw and a claw which, when the screw is screwed by the installer, goes up along it to cling to the back of the drywall of the hollow partition.

As shown in Figure 7, the recesses 216 have generally parallelepipedal shapes and extend in length from the rear of the peripheral flange 21A of the body 210 to near the bottom wall 212 of this box.

To prevent the claw from interfering with the insertion of the body 210 into the circular opening made in the plasterboard of the hollow partition, the recesses 216 are deeper near the bottom wall 212 of the body 210 than in the vicinity of the peripheral flange 21 1A. Thus, before mounting the body 210 in the circular opening, the claws are fully housed in the recesses 216 and do not protrude from the side wall 21 1. Then, when the screws are screwed by the installer, the claws go up along the screws and extend outward, projecting from the side wall 21 1.

The wall defining each recess 216 at the front is opened by a circular opening 216A for the passage of the screw, whereas the wall which delimits each recess 216 at the rear is opened by an oblong opening 216B through which the end of this screw passes. The oblong shape of this second opening allows the screw to pivot slightly outwardly as the claw unfolds out of the side wall 21 1 of the body 210.

As is well shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the body 210 has a thick bottom wall 212, which has a recessed groove in its rear face 212B of rectangular section, which extends from one side to the other. other body 210.

This wide groove 212B has in its middle a comb-shaped element 220, which extends over the entire width of the groove 21 2B and which delimits three grooves 223, 224, 225 open towards a first end of the groove 212B.

These three grooves 223, 224, 225 accommodate the ends of the three insulated electrical conductors 93, 94, 95.

As shown in Figure 1 1, there are three slots 213, 214, 215 in the center of the bottom wall 212 of the body 210, which are coplanar and which each open into one of three grooves 223, 224, 225. The three metallic electrical connection elements 230, 240, 250 are engaged in force in these three slots 213, 214, 215.

In this second embodiment, each of these three metallic electrical connection elements 230, 240, 250 comprises a single inner terminal 231, 241, 251 and a single external supply terminal 232, 242, 252. On the other hand, there is no external connection terminal.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, each of these three metallic electrical connection elements 230, 240, 250 is formed of a folded metal plate, here obtained by cutting and folding in L of a copper strip.

These three metallic electrical connection elements 230, 240, 250 have identical shapes, with a first leg of the L forming the inner terminal 231, 241, 251 and a second leg of the L forming the outer terminal 232, 242, 252.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner terminal 231, 241, 251 of each metallic electrical connection element 230, 240, 250 is thus formed by a simple rectangular metal plate which is applied against the front face of the bottom wall 212 of the body 210.

As shown in FIG. 11, the outer terminal 232, 242, 252 of each metallic electrical connection element 230, 240, 250 is itself formed by a metal blade whose end is cut out so as to be self-locking. insulation displacement. The shape of this end is identical to that of the ends of the outer terminals of the electrical conductors of the electrical box 100 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the slots 213, 214, 215 provided in the bottom wall 212 of the body 210 have sizes which are adjusted in such a way that they hold the electrical connection elements 230, 240, 250 by simple form cooperation. A drop of glue may however be added when mounting the electrical connection elements in these slots to ensure better fixation.

Here, the grooves 223, 224, 225 provided in the bottom wall 212 of the body 210 have widths smaller than those of the outer terminals 232, 242, 252. Their edges are then notched to allow the passage of these external terminals 232, 242 , 252 and to optimize the rigidity of the latter.

In this embodiment of the electrical box 200, there is provided a single cover 280 which is adapted to close the groove 212B to cover the grooves 223, 224, 225 and external terminals 232, 242, 252 of the electrical connection elements 230, 240, 250.

As shown in Figure 7, this cap 280 has for this purpose a main wall 281 whose generally rectangular contour has a shape complementary to that of the groove 212B. It also comprises a peripheral rim 282 which borders on one side the main wall 281.

This cover 280 is rotatably mounted in the groove 212B. Its peripheral flange 282 carries for this purpose two coaxial journals (not visible in the figures) which project from two opposite sides of its external face and which are engaged in two circular openings (not visible in the figures) provided in the side walls of the groove 212B, near its first end.

The body 210 then comprises latching means 218 of the hood 280 in the closed position.

These latching means are here formed by two square windows 218 located in the side walls of the groove 212B, near its second end. They are designed to accommodate two ratchet teeth

283 provided on the two opposite sides of the outer face of the peripheral rim

282 of the hood 280, opposite the trunnions.

When this hood 280 is folded closed, the electrical box

200 has standard dimensions, that is to say an outer diameter of 68 millimeters and a depth of 40 millimeters.

As also shown in FIG. 7, the hood 280 has, projecting from the inside face of its main wall 281, three support ribs 288 which are located in such a way that, when the hood 280 is folded closed, they engage in the grooves 223, 224, 225, between the cutting edges of the V-mouths of the three external terminals 232, 242, 252, without however coming into contact with the latter.

Thus, these support ribs 288 make it possible to push the insulated electrical conductors 93, 94, 95 between these cutting edges by closing the cover 280, which has the effect of cutting off their insulating sheaths and connecting their conductive cores. at the external terminals of the metallic elements of electrical connection.

To avoid that in the closed position, the hood 280 does crush the insulated electrical conductors 93, 94, 95, the hood 280 defines with the body 210 a passage for a cable routing guide 90, in which run the insulated electrical conductors 93, 94, 95.

This cable routing guide 90 is here formed by a corrugated sheath of flexible plastic.

As shown in Figure 7, the hood 280 then has a notch

289 semicircular recessed in its peripheral rim 282. The groove 212B has meanwhile, on the side of its second end, a sectional enlargement 219.

This notch 289 and this widening of section 219 thus together define a passage for the cable routing guide 90.

The semicircular notch 289 here has a diameter equal, with the mounting clearance, to the outer diameter of the grooves of the cable routing guide 90, so that it is designed to engage in one of these grooves in order to secure the cable routing guide 90 in the box electrical 200.

The body 210 and the cover 280 of the electrical box 200 are here each made in one piece by molding an insulating plastic material.

The installation of the electrical box 200 in a hollow partition is operated in a manner homologous to that described above and will therefore not be exposed again. It allows the electrical box 200 to be ready to receive the electrical equipment 70, so that these two elements 70, 200 form a rigid assembly 2 perfectly fixed in the hollow wall.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but the skilled person will be able to make any variant within his mind.

In particular, it could be provided that the external terminals are not self-stripping. It will then be necessary, when connecting the electrical box, prior to denuding the insulated electrical conductors before blocking them in the outer terminals of the metal electrical connection elements.

In this variant, the securing means of the electrical conductors in the outer terminals may then be formed by leaf springs or by screws operable by the installer.

According to another variant, it could be provided that the metallic electrical connection elements are sandwiched, not between the body and the rear plate, but rather between two rear plates fixed to the body.

Claims

1. Electrical box (100; 200) comprising:

- a body (1 10; 210) which has a side wall (1 1 1; 21 1) closed at the rear by a bottom wall (1 12; 212) to delimit an interior volume

(1 10B; 210B) for receiving at least one electrical device (10; 70), and

- at least one metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250) which is fixed to said body (1 10; 210) and which has an internal terminal (131, 141, 151; 231, 241, 251) for the connection of said electrical equipment (10; 70), and an external terminal (132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252) which is located outside the body (1 10; 210) for the connection of an electrical conductor (63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95), said bottom wall (1 12; 212) being arranged to provide access through said interior volume (1 10B; 210B) to the interior terminal (131, 141, 151; 231, 241, 251) of said metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250)

characterized in that it comprises a cover (180; 280) movably mounted on said body (1 10; 210), at the rear of said body (1 10; 210), between an open position in which it reveals said external terminal (132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252) and a closed position in which it covers said outer terminal (132, 142, 152; 232, 242, 252).

2. Electrical box (100; 200) according to the preceding claim, in which each metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150) comprises at least one other external terminal (133, 143, 153) which is located outside of the body (1 10; 210) for transplanting at least one other electrical conductor.

3. Electrical box (100) according to the preceding claim, in which there is provided another cover (180) movably mounted on said body (1 10), at the rear of said body (1 10), between an open position in which it discovers said other external terminal (133, 143, 153) of each metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150) and a closed position in which it covers said other external terminal (133, 143, 153) of each metallic element electrical connection (130, 140, 150).

4. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which each cover (180; 280) is pivotally mounted on said body (1 10; 210).

5. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (1 10; 210) comprises means for blocking (1 18; 218) of each cover (180; 280) in the closed position.

6. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which, in the closed position, each cover (180; 280) delimits with the body (1 10; 210) a passage of electrical conductors (63, 64 , 65; 93, 94, 95), which extends at least partially behind the electrical box.

7. Electrical box (100; 200) according to the preceding claim, in which said passage allows the engagement of a guide (50; 90) of electrical conductors (63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95), the cover (180; 280) and/or the body (1 10; 210) comprising blocking means (1 19; 219, 289) of said guide (50; 90).

8. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which, each external terminal (132, 142, 152, 133, 143, 153; 232, 242, 252) being a self-stripping terminal provided with means for piercing an insulating sheath of said electrical conductor (63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95), each cover (180; 280) comprises a support part (188; 288) which is adapted to support said electrical conductor (63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95) on said drilling means to pierce the insulating sheath of said electrical conductor (63, 64, 65; 93, 94, 95) thanks to the movement of the cover ( 180; 280) from its open position to its closed position.

9. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which there are provided three metal electrical connection elements (130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250) which are fixed in the bottom wall ( 1 12; 212) of the body (1 10; 210) so as to be electrically isolated from each other.

10. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the interior terminal (131, 141, 151; 231, 241, 251) of each metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150; 230 , 240, 250) has a planar contact face.

1 1 . Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which each metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250) is formed in one piece by cutting and folding a strapping.

12. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the claims previous, in which the body (110; 210) is made in one piece by molding an insulating synthetic material.

13. Electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the body (110; 210) is intended to be recessed and it comprises an external peripheral rim (111 A; 211 A) running along the front edge of its side wall (111; 211) and hooking means (116; 216) projecting from its side wall (111; 211).

14. Electrical assembly (1; 2) comprising an electrical box (100; 200) according to one of the preceding claims and electrical equipment (10; 70) which comprises fixing means (17; 77) fixed to said body (110). ; 210) and connection means connected to the interior terminal (131, 141, 151; 231, 241, 251) of each metallic electrical connection element (130, 140, 150; 230, 240, 250) fixed to said body ( 110; 210).