AU427792B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

1518 0 173 This invention relates to electrical connectors, and especially to electrical connectors of the kind which are able to be manufactured and produced in a straight forward manner and which enable conductors of different material to be connected one to the other, w.hile avoiding, as much as possible, electrolitic. corrosion taking place within the joint face. Hitherto, numerous devices have been Produced for connecting electrical conductors made of dissimilar metal, but* most of the devices have been cumbersome and 'expensive. It has however been found that an. electrical connector formed by friction welding reduces and in some cases avoids electrolitic corrosion taking place within the join ae An object of this invention is to provide a simple,. inexpensive electriLcal connector for the purpose of connecting conductors made of dissimilar metals such as conductors made of copper and alumi-nium. According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an electrical connector for connecting conductors off dissimilar metals; said connector being characterised in that the conductor receiving components, which are made of the samet metal a.s the conductor or conductors they are intended to receive, are joined by axially rotating at least one of the components relative to the other. to thus frictionally weld the conductor receiving components one to the other. A preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure I shows a side elevation of a connector. Figure 2 shows an end elevation of a connector. The connector I comprises an aluminium conductor receiving component 2 and a copper conductor receiving component 3, both

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The components 2,3 are )f which are round in cross-sec ion. one of the components 'rictionally welded together by rotating alignment against 3 at high speed and pressing it, in axial The heat generated by he other while it is still rotating. the components 2, 3 riction is sufficient to fuse and weld found that such a together at the joint 4. It has been least reduces to a friction welded join, preventsjn at

substantial amount electrolitic corrosion. with a round hole The aluminium component 2 is provided (not showm) is in which an aluminium electrical conductor conductor may be in the form capable of being secured. The said Once the end of the conductor of either a cable or a round rod. tubular wall 6 is crimped to is inserted in the hole 5, the the component 2. permanently connect the conductor to in diameter to form a The copper component 3 is reduced 7 with a shoulder 8. This pin 7 is round cross-sectional pin socket terminal (not shown): capable of being inserted in a split a bolt or bolts may be of, for example, a transformer, and the pin 7 within the socket. provided at the terminal to clamp electrical connector, for Thus, the invention provides an which is capable of joining conductors of different materials and efficient manner and being formed in a straight forward a join between two dissimilar which at the same time, results in at least reduce metals, which has been found to avoidk(n4 electrolitic corrosion. to one form of the invention The above description relates teat the connector members only. It is to be realised, however of shapes and forms to suit can be manufactured in a variety manufactured in dissimilar varying needs, and that they can be metals other than those stated above. 427792

Claims (4)

15.1 8 0 p7 The claims defining the invention are as follows:- 1. An electrical connector for connecting conductors of dissimilar metals, comprising conductor receiving components which are constructed of the same dissimilar metal as the conductor or conductors they are intended to receive, said connector being characterised in that the conductor receiving components are joined by axially rotating at least one of the components relative to the other, to thus frictionally weld the conductor receiving components one to the other.

2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 comprising an aluminium conductor receiving component and a copper conductor receiving component.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to

the accompanying drawings.

DATED this 5th day of July, 1972. CANTERBURY ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED.

EDWD. WATERS SONS Russell Street, MELBOURNE VIC.

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