JP3353007B1 - Branch connection method of cable and branch connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to make it easy to change between a straight connection part and a branch connection part. A pair of main cables (1a, 1b) and a branch cable (2) are connectable via a branch connector (16). The branching connector 16 has a base end connection part 34 and first and second connection parts 35 and 36. The end portion of the branch cable 2 can be freely connected to the base end connection portion 34 among them. The first and second connecting portions 35 and 36 are
The first and second connecting members 14, 15 provided at the ends of the main cables 1a, 1b are freely connectable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of connecting and branching a cable and a connector for branching, the end of a main cable being a cable such as a power cable for supplying power to various mechanical devices or propulsion coils of a linear motor. It is used to connect the parts together and to branch connect an end of a branch cable, which is another cable, to this connection part. In this specification, a pair of cables connected in a straight line direction is referred to as a main cable, and another cable connected to both sides of the two main cables is referred to as a branch cable. The names of the main cable and the branch cable are used for convenience of description of the invention, and simply refer to a positional relationship, and necessarily represent a master and a slave of a power transmission path according to a magnitude of a current capacity. is not.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to supply power to an electric machine located far from a power source, it is necessary to connect a number of main cables in series with each other. Further, when it is necessary to supply power to another electric machine provided in the middle, it is necessary to connect the end of the branch cable to the connection portion between the main cables. Conventionally, as a straight connection portion for a cable used in such a case, a tape winding type, a wedge tightening type, an insertion type, or the like as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows a tape-connection type branch connecting portion. This branch connection portion is formed by connecting the ends of a pair of main cables 1 a and 1 b and the end of one branch cable 2 with one branch joint 3. The entire branch joint 3 is made of a soft metal having good conductivity such as copper and has a T
The cable conductors 5 and 5 constituting the cables 1a, 1b and 2 are connected to compression terminal portions 4 and 4 provided at three end portions, respectively. A portion of the branch joint 3 except for the compression terminal portions 4 and 4 is covered with an insulating material 6 such as a synthetic resin. Also, semi-conductive tapes 7,7, insulating tapes 8,8 and lead tapes 9,9 are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the compression terminal portions 4,4 and the cable conductors 5,5 in order from the inner diameter side. And has been wound.

FIG. 5 shows a wedge-tightened branch connection. In the case of this branch connection portion, conductor connectors 10 and 10 whose outer peripheral surfaces are tapered and tapered are fixed to the ends of the cable conductors 5 and 5 of the cables 1a, 1b and 2. Each of these conductor connectors 10, 10
Are inserted into the tapered connection portions 11, 11 formed at three ends of the branch joint 3a having a T-shape as a whole in a wedge shape, and the cable conductors 5, 5 are connected to each other by the respective conductors. The connectors 10 and 10 are connected via the branch joint 3a.

FIG. 6 shows a pluggable branch connection. In the case of this branch connection, each cable 1
a, 1b, and 2 at the ends of the cable conductors 5, 5
2a and 12b are fixed. Further, connectors 13a and 13b which are electrically connected by inserting the respective plugs 12a and 12b are provided at three ends of the branch joint 3b. By inserting these plugs 12a, 12b into these connectors 13a, 13b, the cable conductors 5, 5 are connected to each other by the branch joint 3b, the plugs 12a, 12b, and the connectors 13a, 13b. Connected through.

[0006]

Each of the above-described branch connection parts known from the prior art has a structure exclusively for the branch connection part, and is provided with a straight connection part for connecting a pair of main cables. No consideration is given to compatibility between the two. On the other hand, in an actual case, the straight connection portion may be changed to the branch connection portion later, or conversely, the branch connection portion may be changed to the straight connection portion later. In such a case, the conventional structure requires a large-scale operation such as replacing a connection member such as a connection terminal connected to the end of each cable conductor. In view of such circumstances, the cable branch connection method and the branch connector of the present invention provide compatibility between the branch connection portion and the straight connection portion to change the branch connection portion and the straight connection portion. It was invented to make it easy to do.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting and branching a cable according to the first aspect of the present invention. The end of the branch cable is connected to the connection between the cables. In such a branch connection method for a cable according to the present invention, the first connector is attached to the end of the conductor constituting one main cable of the pair of main cables, and the other of the pair of main cables is connected to the other end of the conductor. The second connector is connected and fixed to the end of the conductor constituting the main cable.
The second connector is connected to the first connector by the first connector.
By displacing in the direction approaching with respect to the axial direction of the tool ,
It is freely connectable with this first connector. At the same time, at the end of the branch cable, a branch connector having first and second connection portions is connected to a conductor of the branch cable and the first and second connection portions .
The connection is made in a state where the second connection portions are electrically connected. this house
First connecting portion of this first connector to the first connector
By displacing in the direction approaching with respect to the axial direction, it is possible to conduct with the first connector. In addition, the second connecting portion is free to conduct with the second connecting device by displacing the second connecting device in a direction approaching the axial direction of the second connecting device. Then, by connecting the first connection portion of the branching connector and the first connection tool, and similarly the second connection portion and the second connection tool, respectively, the end portion of the pair of main cables is connected. and an end portion of the branch cable are connected to each other through the above-described first, second respective connector and the branch connector.

A cable branch connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is used for connecting an end of a branch cable to a connection portion of a pair of main cables to be connected to each other. It is. Such a connector for branching a cable according to the present invention has a base end connection portion and first and second connection portions. The proximal end of the branch connector is connected to the branch connector connected to the end of the branch cable.
By displacing in the direction approaching,
It can be freely connected to a connector . Further, the first connecting portion is displaced in a direction approaching with respect to an axial direction of the first connecting device with respect to a first connecting device connected to an end of one main cable of the pair of cables. , And can be electrically connected to the first connector. And the said 1st connection part has substantially the same structure as the connection part of the 2nd connection tool connected to the edge part of the other main cable of the said pair of main cables. Further, the second connecting portion is displaced in a direction approaching an axial direction of the second connecting device with respect to a second connecting device connected to an end of the other main cable of the pair of main cables. Thereby, it is possible to conduct with the second connector.
And the said 2nd connection part has substantially the same structure as the connection part of the 1st connection tool connected to the edge part of one main cable of a pair of said main cables.

[0009]

According to the cable branch connection method and the branch connector of the present invention configured as described above, compatibility is provided between the branch connection portion and the straight connection portion, and the branch connection portion and the straight connection portion are provided. Can be easily changed. That is, when connecting the ends of the pair primary cable, the first connected to the ends of both the main cable, and a second double connecting ingredients together and connected to each other to form a linear connecting portion . On the other hand, when the end of the branch cable is connected to the connection between the ends of the pair of main cables, the first connection of the branch connector connected to the end of the branch cable is The second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting member and the second connecting member, respectively. In short, the first and second connectors are directly connected to each other to form the straight connection portion that connects the ends of the pair of main cables, and the first and second connectors are connected to each other. Are connected via the branching connector, the branch connection portion can be configured.

[0010]

1 to 3 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the feature of the present invention is that a combination of the first connector 14, the second connector 15, and the branch connector 16 allows the branch connector 17 as shown in FIG.
The point is that any one of the linear connecting portions 18 as shown in FIG. Therefore, each of the above-mentioned connecting members 14 and 15
And the branching connector 16 will be described in order.

A pair of main cables 1a to be connected to each other,
1b, one main cable 1a (right side in FIGS. 1 to 3).
At the end of the cable conductor 5a constituting the insulating film 19a
The first connector 14 is provided in a portion protruding from the first connector. The first connector 14 is made of a metal having good conductivity, such as copper or a copper alloy, and is entirely formed in a columnar shape.
The cable conductor 5a is provided on the base end face (the right end face in FIGS. 1 to 3).
Is formed with a joining concave hole 20a for inserting the end of the connecting hole 20a. The one main cable 1a and the first connector 14 are diametrically inwardly connected to the base end of the first connector 14 in a state where the end of the cable conductor 5a is inserted into the joint recess 20a. By compressing them, they are fixed to each other. In the first half (the left half in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the first connector 14, a connection recess 21 is formed so as to be opened at the distal end surface of the first connector 14. This connection recess 2
1 is provided with a well-known contact (not shown) made of a metal plate having good conductivity such as copper.

A first insulating tube 22 covers the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting member 14 from the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion to the outer peripheral surface of one end of the main cable 1a. This first insulating cylinder 22
It comprises an inner semiconductive layer 23a, an insulating layer 24a, and an outer semiconductive layer 25a, each of which is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The inner semiconductive layer 23a is covered from the end of the insulating film 19a to the tip of the first connector 14. Further, the insulating layer 24a covers the insulating film 19a from the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the first connector 14. The outer peripheral surface of the first half (the left half of each) of the insulating layer 24a is an outer diameter side tapered surface 26 which is inclined in such a direction that the outer diameter decreases toward the tip.

The distal end surface of the first connector 14 is exposed at the distal end surface of the insulating layer 24a, and therefore, the connecting hole 21 is open at the distal end surface of the insulating layer 24a. . Further, the outer semiconductive layer 25a is
The insulating film 19a is covered from the middle part of a. At the distal end of the outer semiconductive layer 25a, a locking groove 27 is formed at a portion adjacent to the base end on the larger diameter side of the outer diameter side tapered surface 26, and at the opposite side to the outer diameter side tapered surface 26. First protrusions 28 are formed in portions adjacent to the locking grooves 27, respectively. Another insulating layer 29 is formed by winding an insulating tape from the base end (the right end in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the outer semiconductive layer 25a to the outer coating of the main cable 1a.
Covered by.

On the other hand, at the end of the cable conductor 5b constituting the other main cable 1b (left side in FIGS. 1 to 3),
The portion protruding from the insulating film 19b is provided with the second connector 1
5 are provided. The second connector 15 is also made of a metal having good conductivity in a columnar shape, and is used for inserting the end of the cable conductor 5b into a base end surface (left end surface in FIGS. 1 to 3). Are formed. The other main cable 1b and the second connector 15 are connected in a diametrically inward direction with the base end of the second connector 15 inserted with the end of the cable conductor 5b inserted into the joint recess 20b. By compressing them, they are fixed to each other. The first half (the right half in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the second connector 15 is located inside the contact provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connection recess 21 of the first connector 14. This contact has an outer diameter that can be inserted while elastically pushing and expanding the contact.

A second insulating tube 30 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the second connector 15 to the outer peripheral surface of the end of the other main cable 1b. This second insulating cylinder 30
Each is composed of an inner semiconductive layer 23b, an insulating layer 24b, and an outer semiconductive layer 25b, each of which is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The inner semiconductive layer 23b is covered from the end of the insulating film 19b to the middle of the second connector 15. Also, the insulating layer 24b is covered by covering the insulating film 19b from the tip of the inner semiconductive layer 23b. The first half of the insulating layer 24b (FIGS. 1-3)
Of the inner semiconductive layer 23b, the portion protruding from the leading edge of the inner semiconductive layer 23b is connected to the insulating layer 2 forming the first insulating cylinder 22.
The first half of 4a is a holding tubular portion 31 which can be inserted freely. The inner peripheral surface of the holding cylinder portion 31 is an inner diameter side tapered surface 32 that is inclined in such a direction that the inner diameter increases toward the distal end.
The angle of inclination of the inner diameter side tapered surface 32 matches the angle of inclination of the outer diameter side tapered surface 26, and when the first half of the insulating layer 24 a is inserted into the holding cylinder portion 31, The surfaces 32 and 26 are in contact with each other without any gap. Further, a locking ridge 46 which can be fitted into the locking groove 27 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the holding cylindrical portion 31, and a second ridge 47 which is capable of abutting with the first ridge 28 is also provided on the outer peripheral surface. ,
Each is formed over the entire circumference.

The first half of the second connecting member 15 projects into the holding cylinder 31. Further, the outer semiconductive layer 25b covers the insulating film 19b from the leading edge of the insulating layer 24b. The outer edge of the second insulating cylinder 30 is formed by the outer semiconductive layer 25b. still,
Base end of this external semiconductive layer 25b (left end in FIGS. 1 to 3)
Therefore, even if the main cable 1b is hung on the outer coating, it is covered with another insulating layer 29 formed by winding an insulating tape.

Further, the branching connector 16 connected to the end of the branch cable 2 has a base end connecting part 34 and first and second connecting parts 35 and 36. These connection portions 34
36, the base end connecting portion 34 is for connecting the end of the cable conductor 5c constituting the branch cable 2;
The first connecting portion 35 is for connecting the first connecting member 14, and the second connecting portion 36 is for connecting the second connecting member 15.

In order to constitute such connecting portions 34 to 36, a branch conductor 37 made of a metal having good conductivity such as copper is provided in the branch connector 16 described above. The branch conductor 37 is formed by connecting and fixing the base end (the lower end in FIG. 1) of the sub-conductor 39 to the middle part of the main conductor 38, and excluding the three ends by the internal semiconductive layer 42. Covering. Then, the tip of the sub-conductor 39 (upper end in FIG. 1)
Is the base connection portion 34, one end (the right end in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the main conductor 38 is the first connection portion 35, and the other end (the left end in FIGS. 1 to 3) is the first connection portion. Two connecting portions 36 are provided.

More specifically, a small-diameter portion having the same shape as the distal end of the second connector 15 is formed at one end of the main conductor 38, and the small-diameter portion is used as the first connection portion 35. . Thus the first connecting portion 35, the pair of main cable 1a, relative to the first connector 14 connected to an end of one main cable 1a of 1b The first connector 14
By displacing in the direction approaching with respect to the axial direction, it is possible to conduct with the first connector 14 freely.

At the other end of the main conductor 38, a connection recess 40 similar to the connection recess 21 formed at the tip of the first connector 14 is formed. The contact hole (not shown) is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the
The portion where 0 is formed is the second connection portion 36. Therefore, the second connecting portion 36 is connected to the pair of main cables 1.
a, 1b, by displacing the second connector 15 connected to the end of the other main cable 1b in the direction approaching the second connector 15 in the axial direction. It can be conducted freely.

Further, a small-diameter portion is formed at the distal end of the sub-conductor 39, and the small-diameter portion is used as the base-end connecting portion 34. The end of the cable conductor 5c constituting the branch cable 2 can be freely connected to the base end connection portion. For this reason, in the illustrated example, a branch connector 41 is provided at the end of the branch cable 2. This branch connector 4
1 has a structure similar to that of the first connection tool 14. However, in the illustrated example, the capacity of the branch cable 2 is smaller than the capacity of the main cables 1a and 1b.
The diameter is slightly smaller than that of the first connector 14. Therefore, the base end connection portion 34 is freely conductive to the cable conductor 5c constituting the branch cable 2 via the branch connection member 41.

The branch conductor 37 having the base end connecting portion 34 and the first and second connecting portions 35 and 36 constructed as described above.
Is covered by the internal semiconductive layer 42, and furthermore, its periphery is further covered by an insulating layer 43 and an external semiconductive layer 44, thereby constituting the branching connector 16. These insulating layers 4
3 and a part of the external semiconductive layer 44,
The portions located around the periphery 36 have a shape that can be fitted tightly with the branch connector 41, the first connector 14, and the second connector 15, respectively.

First, a fitting tube portion 45 is provided around the first connection portion 35. The inner peripheral surface of the fitting tubular portion 45 is formed on the inner diameter side tapered surface 3 provided on the second connector 15.
2 has substantially the same shape and dimensions as 2. On the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the distal end portion of the fitting tubular portion 45, protrusions similar to the locking protrusions 46 and the second protrusions 47 provided on the second connector 15 are provided, respectively. . A conical column 48 is provided around the second connecting portion 36. The outer peripheral surface of the conical column portion 48 has substantially the same shape and dimensions as the outer diameter side tapered surface 26 provided on the first connecting member 14. At the base end of the conical column portion 48, grooves and protrusions similar to the locking groove 27 and the first protrusion 28 provided on the first connecting member 14 are provided, respectively. Further, a second fitting tubular portion 49 is provided around the base end connecting portion 34. The second fitting tube portion 49 is formed in a smaller size in accordance with the size of the branch connection tool 41,
It has the same shape as 5.

First, each having the structure as described above,
If the second connecting members 14 and 15, the branching connector 16 and the branch connecting member 41 are used, the branch connecting portion 17 as shown in FIG.
2 and the straight-line connecting portion 18 as shown in FIG. 2 so that the branch connecting portion 17 and the straight-line connecting portion 18 can be easily changed. That is, when the ends of the pair of main cables 1a and 1b are connected to each other to form the straight connecting portion 18, the ends of the main cables 1a and 1b are connected as shown in FIG. The first and second connecting devices 14 and 15 connected to the connecting portion are connected to each other to form the straight connecting portion 18.
Is configured. In contrast, the pair of main cables 1
When the end of the branch cable 2 is connected to the connection between the ends of a and 1b, as shown in FIG. 1, the first connection of the branch connector 16 connected to the end of the branch cable 2 is performed. The part 35 is connected to the first connecting member 14,
Are connected to the second connector 15. In short, by directly connecting the first and second connecting members 14 and 15 to each other, the linear connecting portion 18 for connecting the ends of the pair of main cables 1a and 1b can be formed. By connecting the second connecting members 14 and 15 to each other via the branching connector 16, the branch connecting portion 17 can be configured.

It should be noted that, regardless of the configuration of the connecting portions 17 and 18, the external semiconductive layers 25a and 25
The first and second ridges 28 and 47 (further ridges without reference numerals) provided at the butting ends of the b and 44 are held together by holding metal fittings 50 and 50 and connected to each other.
4, 15, 41 and the branching connector 16 are prevented from being inadvertently separated. In the illustrated example, the holding member 5
Half pieces 51, 51 for constituting 0, 50 are externally fitted to predetermined positions of the above members 14, 15, 41, 16 in advance,
The pair of halves 51, 51 after connection are joined by brazing or the like to form the holding members 50, 50.

In the illustrated example, a branch connector 41 is provided at the end of the branch cable 2 so that the branch cable 2 and the branch connector 16 can be detachably connected. , The branch cable 2 and the branch connector
It is not always necessary to be able to engage and disengage. In other words, the branch connecting member 41 is omitted, and the first and second connecting members 14, 15 provided at the ends of the pair of main cables 1a, 1b are connected to the end of the branch cable 2. First and second connection portions 35, 3
The present invention can be implemented even when the branching connector provided with 6 is directly connected and fixed. However, as shown in the figure, if the branch cable 2 and the branch connector are detachable from each other, the installation or installation of the branch cable 2 is more difficult than when the branch connector is directly connected to the end of the branch cable 2. The degree of freedom of removal is further improved. That is, the main cable 1a,
Even when the branch cable 2 is not needed for the time being, the two main cables 1a and 1b are connected to each other via the branch connector 16 and the base end connecting portion 34 of the branch connector 16 is blind-plugged. Can also be closed. In this way, when the branch cable 2 becomes necessary, the work of laying the branch cable 2 can be easily performed.
Moreover, the main cables 1a and 1b can be kept in a live state.

[0027]

The method for connecting and branching a cable according to the present invention and the connecting device for branching according to the present invention are constructed and operated as described above, so that it is possible to easily change between a straight connecting portion and a branch connecting portion.
The work of laying cables for supplying power to various electric machines can be performed easily and efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a branch connection portion is configured.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a straight connection portion is similarly configured.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similarly showing an unconnected state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a first example of a conventional structure.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the second example.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the third example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Main cable 2 Branch cable 3, 3a, 3b Branch joint 4 Compression terminal part 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Cable conductor 6 Insulator 7 Semiconductive tape 8 Insulation tape 9 Lead tape 10 Conductor connector 11 Connection part 12a , 12b Plug 13a, 13b Connector 14 First Connector 15 Second Connector 16 Branch Connector 17 Branch Connector 18 Straight Connector 19a, 19b Insulation Coating 20a, 20b Joint Hole 21 Connection Hole 22 First Insulation Cylinders 23a, 23b Inner semiconductive layers 24a, 24b Insulating layers 25a, 25b Outer semiconductive layers 26 Outer diameter side taper 27 Engagement groove 28 First ridge 29 Insulation layer 30 Second insulation cylinder 31 Holding cylinder part 32 Inner diameter taper Surface 34 Base end connection part 35 First connection part 36 Second connection part 37 Branch conductor 38 Main conductor 39 Sub conductor 40 Connection recess 4 Branch connector 42 inner semiconducting layer 43 insulating layer 44 outer semiconductive layer 45 fitting cylinder 46 stopping projections 47 second protrusion 48 conical pillar portion 49 fitting tube 50 suppressed brackets 51 halves

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Yokoo 1-1-4 Meinoeki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Passenger Railway Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Adachi 1008 Niibori, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama Mitsubishi Cable (72) Inventor Koji Miura 3-4-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.Tokyo Office (72) Inventor Shizuho Maeda 1008 Niibori, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama Mitsubishi Electric (72) Inventor Katsuteri Asahi 1008 Shinbori, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama Mitsubishi Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. Kumagaya Works (56) References Japanese Utility Model 4-47347 (JP, U) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02G 15/08 H01R 31/02 H01R 31/06 H02G 1/14

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A branch connection method of a cable for connecting an end portion of a branch cable to a connection portion of a pair of main cables to be connected to each other end of the pair of main cables. At the end of the conductor constituting one main cable, a first connector is provided, and at the end of the conductor constituting the other main cable of the pair of main cables, the first connector is provided.
By displacing in the direction approaching with respect to the axial direction of the first connector, a second connector that can be connected to the first connector,
A first connection portion that is connected and fixed to each other and is displaceable in an end portion of the branch cable in a direction approaching the first connection device with respect to the axial direction of the first connection device so as to be able to conduct with the first connection device. And this second connector
By displacing the two connectors in a direction approaching with respect to the axial direction, the branch connector having a second connection portion that can conduct with the second connector is connected to the conductor of the branch cable by the first connection.
Connecting the connecting portion and the second connecting portion in a conductive state ,
By connecting the first connection part of the branch connector and the first connection tool, and the second connection part and the second connection tool, respectively, the end of the pair of main cables and the branch and an end portion of the cable, the first, second respective connector and the branch connection of the cable to be connected to each other via the said branch connector. 2. A branch connector for a cable used for connecting an end of a branch cable to a connection portion of a pair of main cables to which ends of the branch cable are to be connected. For branch connection fittings connected to the
To displace in the direction approaching with respect to the axial direction of the branch connection
A base end connecting portion that is connectable to the branch connecting portion; and an axial direction of the first connecting portion connected to an end portion of one of the main cables of the pair of main cables. Is displaceable in the approaching direction with respect to the first connector, and is connectable to the first connector, and substantially connected to the connector of the second connector connected to the end of the other main cable of the pair of main cables. A first connecting portion having the same structure and a second connecting device connected to an end of the other main cable of the pair of main cables are displaced in a direction approaching in an axial direction of the second connecting device . The second connecting member is freely connectable with the second connecting member, and has the same structure as the connecting portion of the first connecting member connected to the end of one of the pair of main cables. A connector for branching a cable having a connection portion.