EP2840657B1

EP2840657B1 - Securing component, terminal end, kit and electrical connection assembly for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable

Info

Publication number: EP2840657B1
Application number: EP13180904.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Piotr Jaskiewicz
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics UK Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-19
Filing date: 2013-08-19
Publication date: 2019-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-19
Also published as: EP2840657A1

Description

The present invention relates to a securing component for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable, such as a high voltage jumper cable, comprising a coupling designed to be linked with a first terminal end of the connection in a rotationally fixed manner, and a fixation member capable of securing a terminal end of the connection at various angles of rotation in relation to the securing component.
The present invention further relates to a terminal end for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable, such as a high voltage jumper cable, having a terminal body comprising a coupling element designed to be electrically and mechanically coupled with a first terminal end of the connection.
Moreover, the present invention relates to a kit for a rotationally fixed electrical connection, such as a high voltage jumper cable, comprising a terminal end of the connection designed to be electrically connected with a first terminal end of the connection.
Further, the present invention relates to an electrical connection assembly for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable, such as a high voltage jumper cable, comprising a first terminal end of the connection and a terminal end of the connection that is electrically connected with the first terminal end.
Finally, the present invention relates to the terminal end for the above kit and the above electrical connection assembly having a securing component comprising a guiding structure for routing the terminal end along the various angles of rotation (a), said terminal end having a terminal body comprising a coupling element designed to be electrically and mechanically coupled with a first terminal end of the connection and a mounting organ for securing the terminal body at a desired angle of rotation (a) in relation to the first terminal end of the connection, wherein the mounting organ is spaced apart from the coupling element and comprises an anchorage recess.
Jumper cables are used for example between the locomotive, rail-road cars and cab cars for multiple-unit train control and the transmission of high voltage electricity. A further application of jumper cables is the electrical connection between an automobile or a road tractor with a trailer.
Principally, such jumper cables electrically connect two coupled, however individually moveable, units and are thus exposed to rigorous forces acting on the cable connection. Often, jumper cables are provided with a terminal end designed as a termination lug, which is placed on a bolt or rod of the other terminal end of the connection. By screwing a nut on the bolt, the cable connection is secured. Uncontrolled rotation of the termination lug may lead to a loosening of the nut and an interruption of the electrical connection.
In order to avoid undesired interruptions of the electrical connection due to uncontrolled rotations of the cable terminal end, the termination lug of the cables can be designed with flat parts that may sit on corresponding flat sides of the bolt at the other terminal end. The corresponding flats avoid rotation of the lug around the bolt.
This is insofar problematic as the termination lug of the cable needs to be specifically designed with flat parts. Further, the direction of the flat parts of the lug defines the angular arrangement of the termination lug with respect to the other terminal end. So, it is necessary to have available many different kinds of lugs and kinds of jumper cables in order to be able to establish the electrical connection of a cable at a specific angle of rotation between the termination lug of the cable and the other terminal end of the electrical connection to meet specific projection requirements of the cable.
WO 2004/109863 A2 refers to an arrangement for securing a plug to a power outlet terminal secured to a rectifier device and having a threaded part to provide for securing the plug with a tightening member. The arrangement comprises a means for rotationally locking the plug on the terminal. The plug is provided with at least one anti-rotation strip perpendicular to the plug plane, wherein said means is provided with at least one cut-out for receiving the strip.
EP 1 133 007 A1 refers to a terminal cap mounted to cover a battery terminal. In the terminal cap, protection walls stand on edges of a first accommodating portion for accommodating a connection portion of the battery terminal. A threaded shaft stands as an electrode on the upper surface of the battery. A nut can be screwed on the threaded shaft, and a washer and a rotation prevention member are fastened between the first nut and the upper surface of the battery. The rotation-preventing member is formed at its periphery with rotation-preventing projections.
US 2011/0053434 A1 relates to a holding arrangement for at least two electrical connection elements, such as cable lugs. The holding arrangement comprises a base part and a cover part, wherein the base part comprises a plurality of axial projections defining radial openings for receiving a cable lug. The base part furthermore comprises a positioning device on the underside, by means of which the holding arrangement can be fixed in a specific rotary position in relation to a centering bolt of a fitting device.
JP 2009 137474 A refers to a connection structure that connects a first and a second electrical power cable to a casing of a contactor. Each of the power cables is provided with a terminal portion, as well as a protrusion having a connecting hole.
It is thus the objective of the present invention to provide a securing component, a kit as well as an electrical connection assembly that allows to establish an electrical connection of a cable to be established at various angles of rotation between the two terminals of the electrical connection in a simple yet cost-efficient manner.
The securing component of the present invention solves this problem in that the fixation member of the securing component comprises an array of fixation holes arranged in a curved pattern, wherein each fixation hole corresponds to a specific angle of rotation. The terminal end of the initially disclosed type comprises a terminal body further comprising a mounting organ for securing the terminal body at a desired angle of rotation in relation to a first terminal end of the connection, wherein the mounting organ is spaced apart from the coupling element. By means of such mounting organ, the terminal body of the disclosed terminal end can be connected at various different angles of rotation. Since the mounting organ is spaced apart from the coupling element, there is no constraint to be able to mount the terminal end only at one specific angle of rotation. Using the terminal end disclosed thus allows to secure the terminal body at various different angles of rotation in relation to the first terminal end of the connection. An easy way to achieve this is to arrange the different fixation holes of the array in a curved pattern is for example a curve pattern corresponding to a circular path having the axis of rotation in its centre, wherein the distance from the centre to each fixation element on the circular path is always the same.
The kit of the initially mentioned type as well as the electrical connection assembly of the originally mentioned type solve the above-mentioned problem by comprising a securing component according to the present invention. In the electrical connection assembly according to the present invention, the coupling of the securing component is linked with the first terminal in a rotationally fixed manner, and the fixation member secures the second terminal end at a selected angle of rotation, i.e. selected from the various predetermined angles of rotation, in relation to the first terminal end.
The terminal end comprises a lead structure that is complementary to the guiding structure of the securing component of the invention for guiding the mounting organ to the desired angle of rotation (a).
The inventive securing component can be linked with the first terminal end of the connection in a rotationally fixed manner via its coupling. "Rotationally fixed"/"rotationally fixed manner" in the sense of the present application means that the two link components, such as the securing component and the first terminal, cannot be rotated with respect to each other around a rotational axis (also referred to as axis of rotation). The rotational axis is the axis around which a cable, such as a jumper cable, tends to rotate. In a common electrical connection comprising a cable terminal end composed of a termination lug end mounted on a first terminal end comprising a termination bolt or rod being the seat for the lug, the longitudinal axis of the rod corresponds to the axis of rotation.
The fixation members of the securing component allow to secure the other terminal end of the connection, for example the cable terminal end, such as a termination lug, at various predetermined angles of rotation in relation to the securing component. This way, it is not necessary to have different kinds of lugs and kinds of jumper cables in order to arrange the cable at a defined angle of rotation. Rather, one kind of cable is secured with its terminal end a selected (or desired) one of the various possible different angles of rotation by means of the fixation member. This way, different kinds of lugs and jumper cables can be avoided, leading to a reduction in material required, reduction of development time, simplifying manufacturing and installation processes and hence cost reduction.
The "angle of rotation" according to the present application is a distinct angle, with respect to the rotational axis, at which the two terminal ends of the electrical connection are electrically and mechanically coupled in a rotationally fixed manner with each other. The angle of rotation might be compared to the position of the pointer on the clock, the termination rod being the centre of the clock. "Various angles of rotation" means that the terminal end of the connection may be secured on the fixation member at a minimum of two, preferably three or more, different angles of rotation. The different predetermined angles of rotation may lie in the range of 0° to 360°, for example 0° to 180°, or any arbitrary interval therebetween.
The following description of the invention may, independently of one another, lead to further improvements of the securing component, the terminal end, the kit as well as the electrical connection assembly of the present invention. If not otherwise indicated, the various features may be combined arbitrarily as required for a specific application of the invention.
According to a first embodiment, the securing component of the present invention may be a washer comprising the coupling and the fixation member. A washed can be easily mass-produced, for example from stamping from a sheet of metal, and is easily designed as required and provided with the coupling and the fixation member.
In another embodiment, the securing component of the present invention has a coupling comprising a fitting profile shaped to interlock with the first terminal end rotationally fixed. Such a fitting profile, for example a specific contour or a pin, latch, catch, protrusion or recess, is easy to manufacture and design corresponding to a complementary counterpart on the first terminal end of the electrical connection. In one embodiment, the fitting profile may be designed as a profiled hole, which is easy to manufacture yet capable of efficiently interlocking with the first terminal end rotationally fixed. In one embodiment, the profiled hole of the coupling from the securing component may be a through-hole with a circular border, whose circularity is disrupted by flat sections, which can be coupled with the termination flats of a termination rod being the first terminal end.
In another embodiment, the distance between adjacent fixation elements in the array of the fixation elements may be constant. This allows for a regular series of predetermined angles of rotation provided by the fixation members. For example, the different angles of rotation may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other, for example by 5°, 10°, 15°, or an arbitrary degree between 1° and 120°.
The hole may be a through-hole.
The securing component of the present invention may further comprise a guiding structure for routing the second terminal end along the various predetermined angles of rotation. Such guiding structure, for example a curved guide rail or a curved guide groove that may be concentrically arranged around the axis of rotation, facilitates selecting one of the various predetermined angles of rotation.
In a further embodiment, the fixation member is arranged adjacent to or is arranged on the guiding structure. This proximity/conformity of the fixation member and the guiding structure allows for a very compact design of the securing component, while at the same time having the advantage of easily reaching the selected angle of rotation from the various predetermined angles of rotation at the fixation member. In one embodiment, the securing component may comprise a guide rail with various protrusions and/or recesses in the rail.
In the terminal end disclosed herein, the mounting organ comprises an anchorage recess.
The terminal end comprises a lead structure for moving the mounting organ to the desired angle of rotation. This facilitates the arrangement of the terminal end at the desired angle of rotation with respect to the first terminal end, such as a terminal rod. The lead structure may comprise a lead groove and/or a lead rail. The lead structure of the terminal end is complementary to the guiding structure of the securing component. This way, the guiding structure of the securing component and the lead structure of the terminal end constitutes a guidance defining the rotational movement of the terminal end with respect to the securing component.
In an embodiment of the kit or the electrical connection assembly of the present invention, the terminal end may be a terminal end as disclosed herein. In these embodiments, the mounting organ of the terminal end may be complementary to the fixation holes from the array of fixation holes. For example, the mounting organ may comprise an anchorage protrusion. The securing component comprises an array of fixation holes arranged in a curved pattern, into which the anchorage protrusion may be inserted.
The kit of the present invention may further comprise a fastener for locking the fixation member of the securing component and the mounting organ of the second terminal end at a predetermined position with respect to each other. One easy and efficient exemplary design is to use a terminal end having an anchorage recess hole and the securing component with its fixation member comprising an array of fixation recess holes, which may be locked with each other by means of a fastener, such as a pin or bolt. If the anchorage recess and/or the fixation hole is a threaded hole, preferably a threaded through-hole, a screw bolt can easily and efficiently lock the fixation member of the securing component and the mounting organ of the terminal end at a predetermined position with respect to each other.
Correspondingly, the electrical connection assembly according to the present invention may have a fastener locking the fixation member of the securing component and the mounting organ of the terminal end of the selected position with respect to each other.
In the following, the invention is exemplarily described with reference to embodiments using the accompanying drawings. In light of the above-described improvements, it is clear that the various features of the embodiments are shown in their combination only for explanatory purposes. For a specific application, individual features may be omitted and/or may be added if their associated advantage as laid out above is needed.
In the drawings:

Fig. 1:: shows a schematic perspective view of a jumper cable interconnecting to termination by means of an electrical connection assembly of the present invention;
Fig. 2:: shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the securing component for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable;
Fig. 3:: shows the securing component of Fig. 2 linked with a first terminal end of the electrical connection in a rotationally fixed manner;
Figs. 4a and 4b:: show schematic perspective views of a first embodiment of a terminal end for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable according to the present invention;
Figs. 5a and 5b:: show an electrical connection assembly for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable in an embodiment comprising the securing component of Fig. 2 as well as the terminal end of Figs. 4a and 4b;
Fig. 6:: shows a kit of the present invention;
Fig. 7:: show schematic perspective views of an example of a terminal end for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable according to the present invention;
Fig. 8:: shows a schematic perspective view of an example of the securing component for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable; and
Fig. 9:: shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the securing component for a rotationally fixed electrical connection of a cable.

The present invention improves the electrical and mechanical connection of a cable 1, such as a jumper cable used as part of a high voltage roof-line on a high speed trains. Such cables 1 interconnect the terminations 2 on adjacent units, such as wagons. Jumper cables need to be flexible and must be resistant to the rigors of the high voltage rail environment. Fig. 1 shows an exemplary representation of such cable 1 interconnecting two terminations 2. Figs. 5a and 5b show in detail how the cable 1 is connected by means of a rotationally fixed electrical connection 3 with each of the terminations 2.
The cable 1 in the shown embodiment is a coiled jumper cable, providing high flexibility. At each end of the cable 1, a terminal end 4 is provided. The terminal end 4 is designed as a termination lug 5 in the shown embodiment. The terminal end 4 is shown in detail in Figs. 4a and 4b and will be described in more detail below.
In the electrical connection 3, the terminal end 4 of the cable 1 is electrically connected with a first terminal end 6 of the terminations 2. The first terminal end 6 of the terminations 2 is designed as a termination rod 7. Said termination rod comprises a coupling section 8 having a substantially circular cross-section, however with two flats 9. The two flats 9 are arranged opposite to the coupling section with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the termination rod 7. This cross-section of the termination rod 7 comprising the coupling section 8 with flats 9 achieves the linkage of the securing component 10 of the present invention on the first terminal end 6 in a rotationally fixed manner, as for example depicted in Fig. 3, the detail of which will be described below.
For electrically connecting the terminal end 4 of the cable 1 with the first terminal end 6 of the termination 2, the terminal end 4 is designed in the shown embodiment as a termination lug 5 having a terminal body 11 with a coupling element 12 designed as a circular through-hole 13, as can best be seen in Figs. 4a and 4b. For electrically connecting the termination lug 5 and the termination rod 7, the distal section 14 of the termination rod 7 is pushed through the coupling through-hole 13 of the termination lug 5 until it abuts the front face 15 of the coupling section 8 from the termination rod 7, thereby establishing the electrical connection between the termination rod 7 and the termination lug 5. In order to mechanically secure the termination lug 5 and the termination rod 7 in electrical connection 3, a nut 16 is screwed on the distal section 14 of the termination rod 7.
An electrical connection 3 of a cable 1, such as a high voltage jumper cable as depicted in Fig. 1, has to sustain the rigors of the high voltage rail environment. One problem of such electrical connection 3 is that uncontrolled rotations of the termination lug 5 around a rotation axis R, which coincides with the longitudinal direction L of the termination rod 7, are to be avoided because such uncontrolled rotations may lead to the loosening of the nut 16 and the interruption of the electrical connection 3.
With reference to Figs. 2 to 5b, it will be now be described how exemplary embodiments of the securing component 10, the terminal end 4 as well as the electrical connection assembly 17 according to the present invention establish a rotationally fixed electrical connection 3 of the cable 1.
In the following, a first embodiment of the securing component 10 for a rotationally fixed connection 3 of the cable 1 is described. The securing component 10, as can be best seen in Fig. 2, is designed as a securing washer 18 comprising a flat, substantially disc-shaped body 19. The body 19 comprises a profiled hole 20 in its center, which constitutes the coupling 21 of the securing component 10 of the present invention. The coupling 21 is designed to be linked with the first terminal end 6, in the shown embodiments the termination rod 7 of the termination 2. In order to link the coupling 21 of the securing component 10 in a rotationally fixed manner with the termination rod 7, the profiled hole 20, which is through-hole, has a fitting profile 22 defined by its border. The bordering fitting profile 22 is substantially circular with two flat border sections 23. The flat border sections 23 are symmetrically designed and run substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of the profiled hole 20. The coupling 21, designed as a profiled hole 20 having a fitting profile 22 with flat border sections 23, is thus complementary to the cross-section of the coupling section 8 at the termination rod 7. The securing component 10 can hence be linked with the first terminal end 6 by placing the coupling section 8 of the termination rod 7 inside the profiled hole 20 of the coupling 21 from the securing component 10 in such a way that the flat border sections 23 of the profiled hole 20 are aligned with and abut with the flats 9 of the coupling section 8 of the termination rod 7. By such an alignment, the securing component 10 is linked in a rotationally fixed manner, i.e. in a way that it cannot be rotated around the rotational axis R, on the first terminal end 6 of the termination 2.
The securing component 10 shown in Fig. 2 is linked in a rotationally fixed manner with the first terminal end 6 of the termination 2, which is shown in detail in Fig. 3.
The securing component 10 further comprises a fixation member 24 that is capable of securing the terminal end 4 of the electrical connection 3 at various angles of rotation α in relation to the securing component. The fixation member 24 of the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures comprises an array of fixation elements 25, 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d, arranged in a predefined pattern. In the shown embodiment, the array of fixation elements 25 to 25d is arranged in a curve pattern following the circular shape of the body 19 from the securing washer 18. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the array of fixation elements 25 to 25d is arranged adjacent to one of the flat border sections 23 of the fitting profile 22.
Each of the fixation elements 25 to 25d corresponds to a specific angle of rotation α at which the terminal end 4 can be secured in relation to the securing component 10. In the shown embodiment, the individual fixation elements 25 to 25d are at constant distance between adjacent fixation elements. The difference between the specific angles of rotation a, corresponding to adjacent fixation elements, corresponds to about 15° in the shown embodiment. If defining the angle of rotation α of the fixation element 25 to be 0°, the array of fixation elements 25 to 25d of the fixation member 24 in the shown embodiment allows securing of the terminal end 4 in relation to the securing component 10 at the following angles of rotation: a = 0° (fixation element 25), α_a =15° (fixation element 25a), α_b = 30° (fixation element 25b), α_c = 45° (fixation element 25c) and α_d =60° (fixation element 25d).
In the shown embodiment, the fixation elements 25 to 25d are all formed as fixation recesses 26 to 26d. These fixation recesses 26 to 26d are designed as through-holes extending through the body 19 of the securing component 10. Each of the through-holes forming the fixation recesses 26 to 26d is designed with an internal thread, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.
The securing component 10 of the first embodiment further comprises a guiding structure 27. By means of this guiding structure 27, the securing component 10 may route the terminal end 4 along the various different angles of rotation, at which the terminal end 4 may be secured in relation to the securing component 10 using the fixation member 24. In the shown embodiment, the guiding structure 27 is designed as a guide rail 31 projecting from the front side 28 of the disc-shaped body 19 of the securing washer 18. The guide rail 31 stands up from the front side 28 close to the outer edge 29 of the disc-shaped body 19. One face of the guiding structure 29 is forming a slide face 30, which serves as a guidance for routing the terminal end 4 along the fixation member 24. The guide rail 31 is formed in that area of the securing component 10 where the fixation member 24 with its array of fixation elements 25 to 25d is designed. In the shown embodiment, the fixation recesses 26 to 26d are holes extending through the guide rail 31 in a direction parallel to the rotational axis R. This way, the fixation member 24 is arranged on the guiding structure 27, which facilitates to direct the terminal end 4 to a specific fixation element 25 to 25d from their array of fixation members, in order to select a specific angle of rotation a, under which the terminal end 4 is to be secured in relation to the securing component 10.
A further advantage of a rail 31 is that the thickness of the body 19 of the securing component 10 is increased. This increase makes it possible to make the fixation elements 25 to 25d, in particular fixation recesses 26 to 26d, longer, which adds to the stability of the securing component 10 as well as the electrical connection assembly 17.
In a further embodiment, the fixation recesses 26 to 26d may be arranged on areas of the body 19 of the securing component 10, having an improved thickness by adding more material on the washer 18, regardless of the guiding structure 27. That is, the securing component 10 may comprise, in certain embodiments, fixation recesses 26 to 26d in areas where the body 19 has an increased thickness, while the securing component 10 may or may not comprise a guiding structure 27.
As already explained above, Fig. 3 shows the securing component 10 of Fig. 2 linked with the coupling section 8 of the termination rod 7 of the first terminal end 6 from the termination 2. For clarity reasons, not all of the reference numerals allocated to the individual features of the securing component 10 shown in Fig. 2 are repeated in Fig. 3.
In the following, a first exemplary embodiment of the terminal end 4 for a rotationally fixed electrical connection 2 of a cable 1 according to the present invention is described. One embodiment of such terminal end 4 is schematically depicted in Figs. 4a and 4b. The terminal end 4 is designed as a terminal lug 5 having a tubular section 32 that is crimped to the leads of the cable 1. The terminal lug 5 ends in a flat, plate-like connection section 33, which comprises the coupling element 12 of the terminal end 4 that is designed as the coupling through-hole 13 extending from the connection face 34 to the connection section 33. Said connection face 34 is brought into electrical contact with the first terminal end 6 of the termination 2. The fastening face 35 of the connection section 33 that is opposite to the connection face 33 is the side where the nut 16 presses on the terminal lug 5 to keep the electrical connection 3 mechanically and electrically connected. The coupling through-hole 13 has a circular border 36. The circular shape of the coupling through-hole 13 allows to rotate the termination lug 5, if placed on the distal section 14 of the termination rod 7 such that said distal section extends through the coupling through-hole 13. When using the terminal end 4 of the present invention, it is not necessary to specifically design the through-hole 13 of the termination lug 5 in order to achieve a coupling with the first terminal end 6 of the termination 2 in a rotationally fixed manner.
In order to secure the terminal end 4 at a specific angle of rotation α in relation to the first terminal end 6 of the connection 2, the terminal end 4 of the present invention comprises a mounting organ 37. The mounting organ 37 is spaced apart from the coupling element 12. In the first exemplary embodiment shown Figs. 4a and 4b, the mounting organ 37 comprises an anchorage recess 38. This anchorage recess 38 is designed as an anchorage hole 39 that also extends from the fastening face 35 to the connection face 34, like the coupling through-hole 13. The anchorage hole 39 is, like the fixation recesses 26 to 26d of the securing component 10, provided with an inner thread. The anchorage organ 37 is arranged close to the tip 40 of the termination lug 5, said tip 40 being opposite to the tubular section 32.
When the terminal end 4 is seated on the distal section 14 of the termination rod 6, the terminal end 4 can be rotated around the rotational axis R, which coincides with the longitudinal direction L of the termination rod 7. If rotated this way, the mounting organ 37, which is spaced apart from the coupling element 12 of the terminal end 4, may be arranged at various angles of rotation a, α_a, α_b, α_c, α_d. in relation to the first terminal end 6. This way, the same terminal end 4 can be secured to the first terminal end 6 at various different angles of rotation a, α_a, α_b, α_c, α_d. using the mounting organ 37 for the mechanical fixation, rather than the coupling through-hole 13, which is usually specifically shaped in the anti-rotational terminal lugs known from the prior art.
In the shown embodiment, the terminal end 4 further comprises a lead structure 41 for moving the mounting organ 37 to the various different possible angles of rotation a, α_a, α_b, α_c, α_d. The lead structure 41 comprises a lead groove 42. The lead groove 42 of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 4a and 4b is designed as a groove shaped at the tip 40 of the connection section 32. The groove 42 is designed on the connection face 34 and runs through the whole width of the connection section 33. The lead groove 42 opens in the directions facing to the connection face 33, towards the tip 40, as well as both lateral sides 43, 43' defining the width of the connection section 32.
The lead groove 42 encompasses a slide surface 44 at the side opposite the tip 40 or facing towards the further section 32, i.e. where the thickness of the connection section 33 is reduced. This sliding surface is complementary to the slide face 30 of the guiding structure 27 of the securing component 10. In the assembled state of the electrical connection assembly 17, shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, the sliding surface 44 of the lead structure 41 rests on the slide face 30 of the guiding structure 27. The curvature of both the slide surface 44 and the slide face 30 are similar, both having a circular curve that corresponds to a circle drawn with a radius measuring from the centre of the coupling through hole, said centre being on the rotational axis R, and the slide surface 44, or the centre of the profiled hole 20 of the securing component 10, which likewise lies on the rotational axis R, and the slide face 33. The complementary slide face 30 of the securing component 10 and slide surface 44 of the terminal end 4 thus form a guidance 30, 44 allowing to move the mounting organ 37 of the terminal end 4 along the array of fixation elements 25 to 25d of the fixation member 24 that are arranged on the guide structure 27 of the securing component 10. This facilitates directing the mounting organ 37 from the terminal end 4 to one specific fixation element 25 to 25d, corresponding to the desired angle of rotation a, α_a, α_b, α_c, α_d. of the array, at which the terminal end 4 is to be secured in a rotationally fixed manner on the securing component 10 and the first terminal 6.
One exemplary fixation under a specific angle of rotation α is depicted in Figs. 5a and 5b, showing an electrical connection assembly 17 for rotationally fixing an electrical connection 3 of a cable 1.
In Figs. 5a and 5b, an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connection assembly 17 according to the present invention is shown. The shown embodiment comprises a first terminal end 6 of the connection 3 and a terminal end 4 of the cable 1 that is electrically connected with the first terminal 6. The terminal end 4 is a termination lug 5 as depicted in Figs. 4a and 4b. The electrical connection assembly 17 further comprises a securing component 10 according to the present invention. In the shown embodiment, the securing component 10 of Figs. 2 and 3 is used. In the electrical connection assembly 17, the coupling 21 of the securing component 10 is linked with the first terminal end 6 in a rotationally fixed manner as depicted in Fig. 3. Further, the fixation member 24 of the securing component 10 secures the terminal end 4 at a selected angle of rotation α in relation to the securing component 10. The terminal end 4 is secured at a selected angle of rotation α in that the termination lug 5 is placed on top of the securing component 10 already linked to the first terminal end 6 by inserting the distal section 14 of the termination rod 7 through the coupling through-hole 13 of the termination lug 5 in a way that the slide face 30 and the slide surface 44 are arranged side-by-side. This arrangement provides a guidance 30, 44 for rotating the terminal lug 5 around the rotational axis R. When rotating the termination lug 5 around the rotational axis R, the mounting organ 37 thereof runs along the array of fixation elements 25 to 25d and a specific fixation element can be selected which corresponds to the desired angle of rotation a, at which the terminal end 4 is to be connected rotationally fixed on the securing component 10 and the first terminal end 6. Once the anchorage recess 38 of the termination lug 5 aligns with the desired fixation recess 26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, corresponding to the desired angle of rotation a, a fastener 45 locks the fixation member 24 of the securing component 10 and the mounting organ 37 of the terminal end 4 at the selected position with respect to each other. In the shown embodiment, this is achieved by a fastener bolt 46 that may be screwed into the threads of the anchorage recess 38 and the selected fixation recess 26, as can be best seen in Fig. 5b. This way, the terminal end 4 is rotatably fixed on the securing component 10 and, since the securing component 10 is linked with the first terminal end 6 in a rotationally fixed manner, the terminal end is also mounted rotationally fixed on the first terminal end 6.
In Fig. 6, one embodiment of a kit 47 for rotationally fixing the electrical connection 3 of a cable 1, such as a high voltage jumper cable is shown. The kit comprises the terminal end 4 as shown in Figs. 4a and 4b, the securing component 10 as shown in Fig. 2 as well as a fastener 45 for locking the fixation member 20 of the securing component 10 and the mounting organ 37 of the terminal end 4 at the predetermined position with respect to each other.
An example of the terminal end 4 as well as an example of a securing component 10 are shown in Figs. 7 and 8. These examples principally correspond to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 4a and 4b. In the following, only the differences of these examples with respect to the previously described exemplary embodiments will thus be mentioned.
The terminal end 4 as shown in Fig. 7 principally corresponds to the one shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. However, the mounting organ 37 is designed as an anchorage protrusion 38a rather than as an anchorage recess 38. The anchorage protrusion 38a is a pin that projects from the surface of the lead groove 42 that faces in the direction of the connection face 34. Using a terminal end 4 according to the second embodiment, the anchorage protrusion 38a can be inserted into the fixation recesses 26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d from the fixation member 24 that corresponds to the desired angle of rotation a. This way, a separate fastener 45 is not necessary.
The securing component 10 according to the example shown in Fig. 8 principally corresponds to the one of the first embodiments shown in Fig. 1. The body 19 of the securing component 10, which is also designed as a securing washer 18, is identical. The coupling 21 comprising the profiled hole 20 is also identical in the first embodiments of Fig. 1 and the example shown in Fig. 8, respectively.
The securing component 10 according to the example of Fig. 8 differs from the one of the first embodiment in that it does not comprise a guiding structure 27. Furthermore, instead of fixation recesses 26 to 26d, the fixation elements 25, 25a, 25b are formed as fixation protrusions 48, 48a, 48b that project as pins from the front side 28 of the body 19. In the array of fixation elements 25, 25a, 25b of the example shown in Fig. 8, the adjacent fixation protrusions 48 and 48a as well as 48 and 48b are equidistantly spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the adjacent fixation protrusions 48, 48a, 48b corresponds to an offset in the angle of rotation α of 60°. Hence, the fixation protrusions 48, 48a, 48b can be assigned the following angles of rotation: α = 0° (for protrusion 48), α_a = 60° (for protrusion 48a) and α_b = 120° (for protrusion 48b).
The securing component 10 according to another embodiment shown in Fig. 9 principally corresponds to the one of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The body 19 of the securing component 10, which is also designed as a securing washer 18, is identical and the coupling 21 comprising a profiled hole 20 is also identical in the first and the other embodiment, as well as the example shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9, respectively.
The securing component 10 according to the other embodiment, like the one of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, comprises an array of fixation elements 25 to 25j. The fixation elements are designed as fixation recesses 26 to 26j in the other embodiment of the securing component 10 as well. Likewise, the fixation recesses to 26 to 26j are designed in areas of the body 19 of the securing component 10, having an improved thickness, so the holes of the recesses 26 to 26j can be made longer providing an improved stability of the securing component 10 as well as an electrical connection assembly 17 comprising said component 10.
The only difference between the securing component 10 of the other embodiment shown in Fig. 9 and the one of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is that the array of fixation elements 25 to 25j in the other embodiment comprises more elements, namely a total of 11 fixation elements 25 to 25j, compared to the five fixation elements 25 to 25d of the first embodiment. The array of fixation elements 25 to 25j according to the securing component 10 of the other embodiment thus spans more of the circumference of the disc-shaped body 19, allowing to secure the terminal end 4 at more possible angles of rotation α in relation to the securing component 10.
In the other embodiment, shown in Fig. 9, the individual fixation elements 25 to 25j are at constant distance between adjacent fixation elements. The difference between the specific angles of rotation a, corresponding to adjacent fixation elements, corresponds to about 15° in the third embodiment. If defining the angle of rotation α of the fixation element 25 to be 0°, the array of fixation elements 25 to 25j of the fixation member 24 in the other embodiment allows securing of the terminal end 4 in relation to the securing component 10 at the following angles of rotation: α = 0° (fixation element 25), α_a =15° (fixation element 25a), α_b = 30° (fixation element 25b), α_c = 45° (fixation element 25c), α_d = 60° (fixation element 25d), α_e = 75° (fixation element 25e), α_f = 90° (fixation element 25f), α_g = 105° (fixation element 25g), α_h = 120° (fixation element 25h), α_i = 135° (fixation element 25i) and α_j = 150° (fixation element 25j).
The securing component 10 of the other embodiment, even though not essential, further comprises a guiding structure 27. By means of this guiding structure 27, the securing component 10 may route the terminal end 4 along the various different angles of rotation, at which the terminal end 4 may be secured in relation to the securing component 10 using the fixation member 24. In the other embodiment, the guiding structure 27 is designed as a guide rail 31 projecting from the front side 28 of the disc-shaped body 19 of the securing washer 18. The guide rail 31 stands up from the front side 28 close to the outer edge 29 of the disc-shaped body 19. One face of the guiding structure 29 is forming a slide face 30, which serves as a guidance for routing the terminal end 4 along the fixation member 24. The guide rail 31 is formed in that area of the securing component 10 where the fixation member 24 with its array of fixation elements 25 to 25j is designed. In the shown embodiment, the fixation recesses 26 to 26j are holes extending through the guide rail 31 in a direction parallel to the rotational axis R. This way, the fixation member 24 is arranged on the guiding structure 27, which facilitates to direct the terminal end 4 to a specific fixation element 25 to 25j from their array of fixation members, in order to select a specific angle of rotation a, under which the terminal end 4 is to be secured in relation to the securing component 10.

Reference Signs

1: Cable
2: Termination
3: Electrical connection
4: Terminal end
5: Termination lug
6: First terminal end
7: Termination rod
8: Coupling section
9: Flats
10: Securing component
11: Terminal body
12: Coupling element
13: Coupling through-hole
14: Distal section
15: Front face
16: Nut
17: Electrical connection assembly
18: Securing washer
19: Body
20: Profiled hole
21: Coupling
22: Fitting profile
23: Flat border sections
24: Fixation member
25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f, 25g, 25h, 25i, 25j: Fixation elements
26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, 26h,26i, 26j: Fixation recesses
27: Guiding structure
28: Front side
29: Outer edge
30: Slide face
31: Guide rail
32: Tubular section
33: Connection section
34: Connection face
35: Fastening face
36: Border
37: Mounting organ
38: Anchorage recess
38a: Anchorage protrusion
39: Anchorage hole
40: Tip
41: Lead structure
42: Lead groove
43, 43': Lateral sides
44: Slide surface
45: Fastener
46: Fastening bolt
47: Kit
48, 48a, 48b: Fixation protrusion
L: Longitudinal direction
R: Rotational axis
α, α_a, α_b, α_c, α_d, α _e, α_f, α_g, α_h α_i, α_j.: Angle of rotation

Claims

Securing component (10) for a rotationally fixed electrical connection (3) of a cable (1), such as a high voltage jumper cable, comprising a coupling (21) designed to be linked with a first terminal end (6) of the connection (3) in a rotationally fixed manner, and a fixation member (24) capable of securing a terminal end (4) of the connection (3) at various angles of rotation (a) in relation to the securing component (10), characterized in that the fixation member (24) comprises an array of fixation holes arranged in a curved pattern, wherein each fixation hole corresponds to a specific angle of rotation (a).
Securing component (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling (21) comprises a fitting profile (22) shaped to interlock with the first terminal end (6) rotationally fixed.
Securing component (10) according to claim 2, wherein the fitting profile (22) is designed as a profiled hole (20).
Securing component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a guiding structure (27) for routing the terminal end (4) along the various angles of rotation (a).
Securing component (10) according to claim 4, wherein the fixation member (24) is arranged adjacent to or arranged on the guiding structure (27).
Kit (47) for a rotationally fixed electrical connection (3) of a cable (1), such as a high voltage jumper cable, comprising a terminal end (4) of the connection (3) designed to be electrically connected with a first terminal end (6) as well as a securing component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
Kit (47) of claim 6, further comprising a fastener (45) for locking the fixation member (24) of the securing component (10) and the mounting organ (37) of the terminal end (4) at a specific angle of rotation (a) with respect to each other.
Electrical connection assembly (17) for a rotationally fixed electrical connection (3) of a cable (1), such as a high voltage jumper cable, comprising a first terminal (6) of the connection (3), a terminal end (4) of the connection (3) that is electrically connected to the first terminal end (6), and a securing component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the coupling (21) of the securing component (10) is linked with the first terminal end (6) in a rotationally fixed manner, and the fixation member (24) secures the terminal end (4) at a selected angle of rotation (a) in relation to the first terminal (6).
Kit (47) of claim 6 or 7 or electrical connection assembly (17) of claim 8, wherein the terminal end (4) has a terminal body (11) comprising a coupling element (12) designed to be electrically and mechanically coupled with the first terminal end (6) of the connection (3) and a mounting organ (37) for securing the terminal body (11) at a desired angle of rotation (a) in relation to the first terminal end (6) of the connection (3), wherein the mounting organ (37) is spaced apart from the coupling element (12) and comprises an anchorage recess (38).
Kit (47) or electrical connection assembly (17) of claim 9, wherein terminal end (4) further comprises a lead structure (41) for guiding the mounting organ (37) to the desired angle of rotation (a).
Electrical connection assembly (17) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a fastener (45) locks the fixation member (24) of the securing component (10) and the mounting organ (37) of the terminal end (4) at the selected angle of rotation (a) with respect to each other.
Kit (47) or electrical connection assembly (17) of any one of claims 6 to 11 having a securing component (10) comprising a guiding structure (27) for routing the terminal end (4) along the various angles of rotation (a), said terminal end (4) having a terminal body (11) comprising a coupling element (12) designed to be electrically and mechanically coupled with a first terminal end (6) of the connection (3) and a mounting organ (37) for securing the terminal body (11) at a desired angle of rotation (a) in relation to the first terminal end (6) of the connection (3), wherein the mounting organ (37) is spaced apart from the coupling element (12) and comprises an anchorage recess (38), characterized in that the terminal end (4) comprises a lead structure (41) that is complementary to the guiding structure (27) of the securing component (10) for guiding the mounting organ (37) to the desired angle of rotation (a).