EP1139496A2

EP1139496A2 - Connector for an overhead cable

Info

Publication number: EP1139496A2
Application number: EP01660053A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Veijo c/o Onninen Oy Kortelainen; Henrik Grönholm; Juhani Hovilehto
Original assignee: Ensto Sekko Oy
Current assignee: Ensto Sekko Oy
Priority date: 2000-03-31
Filing date: 2001-03-23
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Also published as: BR0101285A; HU0101195D0; EP1139496A3; RU2001108592A; NO20011632D0; HUP0101195A2; FI20000738A0; PL346456A1; HUP0101195A3; NO20011632L; MXPA01003273A; CZ20011158A3; ID29737A; FI106994B

Abstract

A connector for an overhead cable, comprising a clamping bolt or screw (8, 8') and at least three connector blocks (1, 2, 3), which are pressable by the clamping bolt or screw (8, 8') towards each other. The connector blocks (1, 2, 3) provide therebetween two intermediate spaces for receiving wires on either side of the middle connector block (2). At least one connector block (2), which lies between the other two connector blocks (1, 3), has embedded therein metallic connecting pieces provided with teeth protruding into said intermediate spaces, which teeth, as a result of compressing the connector blocks by means of the clamping bolt or screw (8, 8'), penetrate through the wire insulation enabling a connecting piece (10) to establish an electric connection between superimposed or parallel wires in both intermediate spaces.

Description

The invention relates to a connector or terminal for an overhead cable, comprising a clamping bolt or screw and at least three connector blocks, which are pressable by the clamping bolt or screw towards each other and which connector blocks provide therebetween two intermediate spaces for receiving wires on either side of the middle connector block.
This type of connectors with three connector plates have been used earlier in the process of connecting aluminium and copper wires to each other. The connectors capable of piercing a wire insulation have included two blocks, between which is a single intermediate space for joining together a single pair of wires in such a way that the connector blocks establish an electrical contact between the wires.
It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-purpose connector or terminal for an overhead cable, which is applicable to connecting both coated and uncoated overhead cables, the metal parts of the connector exposed in the process of connecting coated wires being dead in terms of voltage. In addition, the assembly of the invention must provide such a connector which is capable of connecting more than one pair of conductors or wires.
This object is achieved by means of a connector of the invention on the basis of the characterizing features set forth in the annexed claim 1. The non-independent claims disclose preferred embodiments of the invention with regard to various applications.
A few exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

figs. 1 and 2: show a connector according to a first embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section;
figs. 3 and 4: show a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section;
figs. 5 and 6: show a connector according to a third embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section;
figs. 7 and 8: show a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section;
figs. 9 and 10: show a connector according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section;
figs. 11 and 12: show a connector according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section; and
figs. 13,14 and 15: show a connector according to a seventh embodiment of the invention in side views from different directions and in partial section.

In various embodiments, the functionally identical components are designated with the same reference numerals, although such components may be structurally different from each other. This applies especially to metallic connecting pieces 10, which in the embodiments of figs. 1, 5 and 9 are short in the direction of wires and a plurality of which are set in succession in the direction of wires, the separate connecting pieces 10 being bound together with a lacing strip 11 which can be made of moulded plastics or a soft metal, with the connecting pieces 10 embedded therein. In the embodiments of figs. 3, 7 and 11, the connecting pieces 10 are provided in the direction of wires with short serrations, a plurality of which are set in succession in the direction of wires.
The embodiments of figs. 1-10 comprise three connector blocks or connector platens1, 2, 3, which are pressable towards each other by means of a clamping bolt 8 or a clamping screw 8' extending through these blocks or platens. The connector blocks 1, 2, 3 are preferably made of an insulating material (hard plastics) and a stack of blocks constituted by the successive connector blocks 1, 2, 3 is placed between press plates 6, 7. The press plates 6, 7 can be made of a metal or hard plastics. If made of hard plastics, the press plates 6 and 7 can be made in a single piece with the outer connector blocks 1 and 3.
The connector blocks 1, 2, 3 constitute therebetween two intermediate spaces for receiving wires on either side of the middle connector block 2. The middle connector block 2 is provided with one or more metallic connecting pieces 10, extending through the block 2 in a direction perpendicular thereto. The teeth or serrations of the connecting piece 10 extend into wire-receiving gutters present in the intermediate spaces to a distance sufficient for the teeth to penetrate through the wire insulation as the connector blocks 1-3 are clamped towards each other. Thus, the connecting pieces 10 establish an electric connection between two wires on top of each other.
In the embodiments of figs. 1-4, the connector is only intended for connecting two wires. In the case of figs. 1 and 2, the outer connector blocks 1, 3 are coupled with hinge links 9 to the middle connector block 2. In the embodiment of figs. 3 and 4, the outer connector blocks 1, 3 are coupled to each other with a hinge link 9'. In addition, this embodiment has its outer connector blocks 1, 3 provided with serrated connecting pieces 12 interlinked by way of a wire or conductor 14.
In the embodiments of figs 5-10, each intermediate space between the connector blocks 1, 2, 3 is provided with take-up recesses for two wires, i.e. the connector is designed for two pairs of wires. The middle connector block 2 is provided with metallic connecting pieces 10 on both sides of the clamping bolt 8 or the clamping screw 8'. Each intermediate space is provided with two wires.
The embodiment of figs. 5 and 6 further illustrates on the right-hand side of fig. 5 that the outer connector blocks 1, 3 are also provided with serrated connecting pieces 12' interlinked by way of a wire assembly 14'.
In the embodiments of figs. 3 and 4, as well as figs. 7 and 8, the metallic connecting pieces 10 are surrounded by a packing 13 or 13", the teeth of the connecting pieces protruding therefrom. The packings 13, 13" compress against the conductor insulations of connected wires as the teeth of the connecting pieces 10 have pierced the conductor insulation. The result will be a watertight joint. Figs. 7 and 8 depict the use of a moment screw fitted with a moment head 8" for securing a proper clamping.
The embodiment of figs. 11 and 12 differs from those described above principally in the sense that the number of connector blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 is five and these are stacked on top of each other, the connector functioning as a joint for four pairs of wires. Therefor, two connector blocks 2 and 4 are provided with metallic connecting pieces 10 on either side of the clamping bolt 8.
The embodiment of figs. 9 and 10 differs from the others in the sense that the clamping bolt is replaced with a clamping screw 8', which is engaged in a threaded hole extending through a press plate 7 and a bar 7" adapted thereto. The number of clamping bolts or screws 8, 8' is typically 1 or 2.
In terms of its structural details, the connector is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiments. For example, the metallic connecting pieces 10 may be in the form of screws having high and sharp thread edges. The connector blocks 2 and 4 are provided with laterally opening threaded holes, through which the screws can be laterally threaded inside the block, the thread edges of the screws cutting through the conductor insulation and establishing an electric connection between the wires present on the opposite sides of the block 2, 4.
The embodiment shown in figs. 13-15 differs from those described above in the sense that there are metallic connecting pieces 15, 16 and 15, 16' extending laterally of the blocks 1, 2, 3 between adjacent take-up recesses, the connecting pieces establishing an electric connection each time between the two wires present in the same intermediate space. In the illustrated case, the middle connector block 2 is provided on either side thereof with a single connecting piece 16,16' and the outer connector blocks 1, 3 are also provided with connecting pieces 15, 15' on the internal sides thereof. The conductors included in a pair of conductors present in the upper intermediate space on either side of the screw 8 will be connected to each other by means of the connecting pieces 15 and 16. The conductors or wires present in the lower intermediate space on either side of the screw 8 will be connected to each other by means of the connecting pieces 16' and 15'. The ends of the connecting pieces are provided with teeth piercing through the wire insulation. In the illustrated case, the conductors or wires of each pair of conductors will be connected to each other every time by means of two connecting pieces. The lower connecting pieces 15', 16' are surrounded by a packing 17, from which protrude the teeth of the connecting pieces and which compresses against the wire insulation surface around the junction so as to establish a watertight joint. Naturally, the respective packings 17 may also be arranged around the upper connecting pieces 15, 16. The connector blocks 1, 2, 3 are provided with take-up recesses for the connecting pieces for retaining the connecting pieces in position.
Fig. 13 shows boxes 18, 19 present on one side of the connector as extensions for wires to be connected for protecting the free ends of wires extending a small distance from the junction.
Fig. 15 illustrates the way of using a connector of the invention for interconnecting also wires or conductors of unequal diameters. The outer connector blocks 1 and 3 are capable of tilting by virtue of an arcuate design of the outer contours thereof, which matches the arcuate design of the mating surfaces of the press plates 6' and 7'. Fig. 14 visualizes springs 20 present between the connector blocks 1, 2, 3 for forcing the connector blocks apart from each other to keep the intermediate spaces open for a convenient insertion of the wires. The springs 20 are preferably coil springs set around the screw 8.
In this embodiment, the same way as in figs. 9 and 10, the press plate 7' carries also provided a correspondingly designed bar 7" which is provided with a threaded hole for the clamping screw 8.
For example, the number of such connectors required for connecting the four conductors of a three-phase line is just two, while in the past the required number of such connectors has been four.

Claims

A connector for an overhead cable, comprising a clamping bolt or screw (8, 8') and at least three connector blocks (1, 2, 3), which are pressable by the clamping bolt or screw (8, 8') towards each other and which connector blocks (1, 2, 3) provide therebetween two intermediate spaces for receiving wires on either side of the middle connector block (2), characterized in that at least one connector block (2), which lies between the other two connector blocks (1, 3), is provided with one or more metallic connecting pieces, extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the block and being provided with teeth protruding into said intermediate spaces, which teeth, as a result of compressing the connector blocks by means of the clamping bolt or screw (8, 8'), penetrate through the wire insulation enabling a connecting piece (10) to establish an electric connection between the wires.
A connector as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the outer connector blocks (1, 3) are provided with serrated connecting pieces (12, 12') which are interconnected by way of a wire or conductor (14, 14').
A connector as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer connector blocks (1, 3) are connected by a hinge link (9, 9') to the middle connector block (2) or to each other.
A connector as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that each intermediate space between the connector blocks (1, 2, 3) is provided with take-up recesses for two wires, and that at least one connector block (2) is provided with the metallic connecting pieces (10) on either side of the clamping bolt or screw (8, 8').
A connector as set forth in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that at least two connector blocks (2, 4) are provided with the metallic connecting pieces (10) on either side of the clamping bolt or screw (8, 8'), and that there are five connector blocks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) stacked on top of each other, the connector functioning as a connector for four pairs of wires.
A connector as set forth in any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the intermediate pieces (10) are provided with a number of short successive serrations in the direction of wires.
A connector as set forth in any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the intermediate pieces (10) are short in the direction of wires and a number of the same are set in succession in the direction of wires, and that the individual connecting pieces (10) are bound to each other with a lacing strip (11).
A connector as set forth in any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the metallic connecting pieces (10) are screws provided with a high and sharp thread edge, which can be threaded laterally of the connector block (2) inside the block, the thread edges cutting through the wire insulation and establishing an electric connection between wires present on the opposite sides of the block (2).
A connector as set forth in any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the connector blocks (1-5) are made of an insulating material and a stack of blocks constituted by successive connector blocks is set between the metallic press plates (6, 7).
A connector as set forth in any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the metallic connecting pieces (10) are surrounded by packings (13, 13"), from which protrude the teeth of the connecting pieces and which compress against the wire insulation of interconnected wires after the teeth of the connecting pieces (10) have pierced the wire insulation.
A connector for an overhead cable, comprising a clamping bolt or screw (8) and at least three connector blocks (1, 2, 3), which are pressable by the clamping bolt or screw (8) towards each other and which connector blocks (1, 2, 3) provide therebetween two intermediate spaces for receiving wires on either side of the middle connector block (2), characterized in that each intermediate space between the connector blocks (1, 2, 3) is provided with take-up recesses for two wires on either side of the clamping bolt or screw (8), and that the middle connector block (2) is provided on either side thereof and/or the outer connector blocks (1, 3) are provided on the internal sides thereof with metallic connecting pieces (15, 15', 16, 16'), extending between the take-up recesses which are adjacent to each other in the lateral direction of the blocks (1, 2, 3) and having both ends thereof fitted with wire-insulation piercing teeth, the connecting pieces (15, 15', 16, 16') establishing an electric connection between wires included in the pairs of wires present in each intermediate space.
A connector as set forth in any of claims 1-11, characterized in that said intermediate spaces are maintained open by means of springs (20) set between the connector blocks (1, 2, 3).