GB2432979A

GB2432979A - Electrical connection unit with sealed housing inside lid

Info

Publication number: GB2432979A
Application number: GB0624322A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Camillus Tynan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-05
Filing date: 2006-12-05
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-05
Also published as: GB2432979B; IES20050808A2; GB0624322D0

Abstract

A cable connection unit comprises an outer container body 12 with an access lid 14. A second internal chamber is provided, mounted on the interior surface of the access lid. Cable connections are formed within the internal chamber. Both the outer container and the internal chamber are sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture, giving a primary seal 32 and a secondary seal. The mounting of the internal chamber on the interior surface of the access lid allows for easy access to the contained cable connections. The internal chamber has a resealable sealing lid 42. This lid may have an arm (48, Fig 10) to prevent it being lost.

Description

A Cable Connection Unit The present invention relates to a connection

unit, used for the connection of signal-carrying cables in a secure environment.

Connection units are well-known devices used to facilitate the connection of cables. Generally, connection units comprise a casing with an access door, and are mounted in a wall, in a floor surface, or underground. The access door allows cable connections to be made within the unit, which can then be closed to protect the cables contained within.

A problem with most connection units is that access to the contained cables is restricted by the size of the unit itself.

It is known to mount terminal connectors on the inside of the access lid, ensuring that the connections will be exposed once the access lid is opened. An example of such a connection unit is given in UK patent No. 2,360,145. However, in such a connection unit, any breach in the seal surrounding the access door will allow moisture to enter the interior of the unit, in close proximity to the terminal connectors.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved connection unit, allowing for ease of access to contained terminal connectors, while providing an improved, watertight sealing structure.

Accordingly, there is provided a connection unit comprising a main body and an access lid, the access lid comprising an interior surface, the access lid allowing access to the interior of said main body, the main body comprising a plurality of regions through which at least one cable may pass, the interior surface of the access lid further comprising a cable connection housing unit into which said at least one cable may pass, the cable connection housing unit including a resealable lid to allow access to the interior of the cable connection housing unit when said seal between said cable connection housing unit and said resealable lid is broken to allow access to said cable.

Preferably, said resealable lid is arranged to remain connected to said access lid when said seal between said cable connection housing unit and said housing is broken.

Preferably, said resealable lid includes a first connector member and said access lid includes a second connector member, said connector members being arranged to interengage, to retain said resealable lid in connection with said access lid when said resealable lid is removed from said access lid.

Preferably, said second connector is formed on the access lid remote from the cable connection housing unit.

Preferably, said access lid includes an interior sealing member arranged to seal said access lid against said main body when said access lid is in a closed position.

Preferably, said access lid and said main body are provided with cooperable locking members arranged to securely retain said access lid in said closed position.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connection unit according to the embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a end view of the unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an access door of the unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the interior surface of the access door of Fig. 7; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the unit of Fig. 2 taken along the line IV-IV; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the unit of Fig. 2 taken along the line V-V; Fig. 9 is a bottom view of a sealing lid of the unit of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a sealing lid of Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, a connection unit 10 comprises a main body 12 and an access lid 14. The main body 12 comprises a substantially box-like structure have an open front face with a peripheral flange 11. The main body 12 comprises a reduced area end wall 18 and four side walls 16 tapering from the front flange to the end wall. The access lid 14 sits over the open front face of the main body 12.

In the figures shown, a plurality of break-outs 20, each comprising a circular collar 21 with a frangible section 22, defined in the interior of said collar 21, are defined on the side walls 16. The break-outs 20 can be of various dimensions in order to accommodate different types of cables. It will be understood that different arrangements of break-outs 20 can also be used. The break-outs 20 are used in connection with cable gland nuts (not shown), that act to form a seal about any cable passing through the break-outs 20. While different types of cable gland nuts can be used, it is preferable that gland nuts meeting or exceeding Protection Classification IP 68 are used, to prevent against the ingress of moisture.

However, it will be understood that other types of cable channel than the break-outs 20 may be used, for example a plastics membrane that allows passage of a cable through the membrane, can provide a seal about the cable.

The main body 12 further comprises a collar 23 formed around and extending outwardly from flange 11. When the lid 14 is in a closed state, its fits closely within the collar with its exterior surface 25 lying flush with the forward facing surface of the collar 23. The connection unit 10 is generally mounted in the ground or in a wall so that the forward facing surface of the collar 23 lies flush with the surface of the surrounding material, resulting in no substantial protrusions above the surface.

Referring now to Figs. 5 & 6, the access lid 14 is shown in more detail. The access lid 14 is connected to the main body 12 of the connection unit 10 by a plurality of snap-on fastening clips 24, located along one side of the access lid 14, which snap over corresponding fastening seats 24' extending from the forward facing surface of the corresponding side of the collar 23. A generally rectangular peripheral wall 30 projects from the interior surface 27 of the access lid 14. A live hinge 25 extends the length of the access lid 14, located between the snap-on fastening clips 24 and the peripheral wall 30. When the connection unit 10 is mounted in a wall, the live hinge 25 allows the portion of the access lid 14 not secured by the fastening clips 24 to pivot about a vertical axis from the closed position to an open position where said lid 14 lies perpendicular to the front surface 11 of the connection unit 10.

When the access lid 14 is in a closed position, the lid 14 is secured to the main body 12 by a plurality of threaded bolts 26, located at each of the four corners of the access lid 14. The bolts 26 engage with corresponding threaded holes (not shown) in the main body 10. The bolts 26 can be tightened in place through use of a suitable key 28.

The interior facing edge of the peripheral wall 30 provides a sealing seat, and a sealing member comprising a rubber ring 32 is fitted into the sealing seat of the wall 30. Turning to Figs. 7 & 8, a sealing member receiving channel 34 is formed in the main body 12, running around and adjacent to the inner edge of the collar 23. When the access lid 14 is in a closed position, the sealing member 32 fits tightly into the receiving channel 34, forming an effective seal of the interior of the connection unit 10.

Referring back to Figures 5 and 6, a housing 36 is provided on the interior surface 27 of the access lid 14. The housing 36 comprises four side walls 37 projecting from the interior surface 27 and defining an interior facing opening, with sockets 38 located at each of the four corners of the housing unit 36. A plurality of gland nuts 40 are located in the side walls 37, leading to the interior of the housing 36. The interior facing opening allows manipulation and interconnection of cables fed from outside the connection unit 10 through the break-outs 20 and through the gland nuts 40, with the gland nuts sealing around the cables.

In order to provide a secondary protection against ingress of moisture to the point of connection of the cables, a sealing lid 42 is provided to protect the contents of the housing 36, while allowing access when desired.

Referring to Figs. 9 & 10, the sealing lid 42 comprises a generally rectangular surface 43, with a peripheral sealing seat 44 depending therefrom and a sealing member comprising a rubber ring fitted into the sealing seat 44. The sealing lid 42 further comprises four holes 46 located at each corner of the lid surface 43. When in use, the sealing member sits on the upper edges of the side walls of the housing 36, with the holes 46 lying in register with the sockets 38. Screws passing through the holes 46 and secured in the sockets 38 retain the sealing lid 42 sealed against the housing 36, protecting the contained cables and their connections.

When the connection unit 10 is accessed, for example for maintenance purposes, the threaded bolts 26 are first loosened, and the access lid 14 is pivoted about the vertical axis to an open position. The sealing lid 42 screws can then be undone to remove the lid 42 from the housing 36, and the required maintenance carried out.

In order to prevent the lid 42 being lost, mislaid or damaged when unscrewed from the housing 36, the sealing lid is formed with an L-shaped securing member 48 having an arrow shaped head projecting from a lower edge of the lid 42.

A receiving socket 50 projects from the interior surface 27 of the door 12, at a location immediately beneath the securing member 48 when said access lid 42 is attached to the housing unit 36. In this embodiment, the securing member 48 is made from a suitable plastic material and has a détente formed along its length to facilitate bending of the securing member 48 through an angle of 90 degrees, so that the securing member 48 may be rotated towards the receiving socket 50 to engage the socket 50.

The internal surface of the socket 50 is shaped so that the arrow shaped head of the member 48 is locked into the socket upon engagement. This ensures that the sealing lid 42 remains attached to the access lid 14 when unscrewed from the housing 36 during maintenance or installation of cable connections.

It will be understood that other configurations of securing member may be used to effect rotation, for example a hinged or pivoted securing member.

B

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A connection unit comprising a main body and an access lid,

the access lid comprising an interior surface, the access lid allowing access to the interior of said main body, the main body comprising a plurality of regions through which at least one cable may pass, the interior surface of the access lid further comprising a cable connection housing unit into which said at least one cable may pass, the cable connection housing unit including a resealable lid to allow access to the interior of the cable connection housing unit when said seal between said cable connection housing unit and said resealable lid is broken to allow access to said cable.

2. A connection unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resealable lid is arranged to remain connected to said access lid when said seal between said cable connection housing unit and said housing is broken.

3. A connection unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resealab].e lid includes a first connector member and said access lid includes a second connector member, said connector members being arranged to interengage, to retain said resealable lid in connection with said access lid when said resealable lid is removed from said access lid.

4. A connection unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second connector is formed on the access lid remote from the cable connection housing unit.

5. A connection unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said access lid includes an interior sealing member arranged to seal said access lid against said main body when said access lid is in a closed position.

6. A connection unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said access lid and said main body are provided with cooperable locking members arranged to securely retain said access lid in said closed position.