WO2009149718A2 - A connector for cables - Google Patents

A connector for cables Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009149718A2
WO2009149718A2 PCT/DK2009/050128 DK2009050128W WO2009149718A2 WO 2009149718 A2 WO2009149718 A2 WO 2009149718A2 DK 2009050128 W DK2009050128 W DK 2009050128W WO 2009149718 A2 WO2009149718 A2 WO 2009149718A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cable
connector
contact means
electrical conductors
electrical
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2009/050128
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009149718A3 (en
Inventor
Lei Zhang
Claus RØNNE
Original Assignee
Hans Følsgaard A/S
Ullner, Thomas
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hans Følsgaard A/S, Ullner, Thomas filed Critical Hans Følsgaard A/S
Priority to EP09761337A priority Critical patent/EP2301114A2/en
Publication of WO2009149718A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009149718A2/en
Publication of WO2009149718A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009149718A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/70—Insulation of connections
    • H01R4/72—Insulation of connections using a heat shrinking insulating sleeve
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
    • H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections

Landscapes

  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)

Abstract

A connector includes a first end with a first cable insertion portion receiving a first cable and a second end with a second cable insertion portion receiving a second cable, at least one guideway adapted to bring a first electrical conductor and second electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a first electrical conductor and second electrical conductor of the second cable, a first and second contact means arranged in the at least one guideway; the first and second contact means providing electrical contact between the first conductors and between the second conductors respectively. The contact means and the at least one guideway; allow for visual determination of the position of the first and second conductors in the at least one guideway, accessing the first and second conductors from outside the connector and positioning the first and second conductors in relation to the first and second contact means respectively.

Description

A CONNECTOR FOR CABLES
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector for connecting cables. More particularly, the invention relates to a connector comprising a guideway that provides access to electrical conductors of the cables from outside the connector, thereby allowing a user to connect the cables within a few minutes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Cables are frequently used in large facilities, where a high power supply is required. One such facility is at a harbor where large quantities of containers are loaded and unloaded from large container ships. The hourly cost for being docked at the harbor is substantial and there is a strong demand for avoiding or minimizing delays. One situation in which delay occurs is when one of the cables connecting the power supply unit(s) with the various facilities at the harbor gets broken, for instance when a truck drives over the cable. The prior art techniques for connecting the open ends of the cable requires at least eighteen minutes and therefore, there is a strong need to lower the delay in order to minimize the costs relating to the delay.
The field of connectors is very diverse and many different connector designs exist. For example, US 5,520,549 describe a connector for connecting cables without cutting the cable or stripping the insulation from the cable, whereby the time otherwise used for stripping the cables is saved. The opens ends of the cables are positioned in the connector and insulation penetrating means are forced into the insulating layer surrounding the electrical conductors of the cables.
Other techniques for repairing cables involve establishing the contact using means that are subsequently encapsulated by a material that has to harden. This process takes relatively long time whereby the delay will present a substantial increase in the costs related to loading and unloading a container ship.
Therefore, there exists a need for providing a connector, which overcomes shortcomings of the existing connectors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the invention, a connector for connecting a first cable to a second cable is disclosed. The connector includes a first end with a first cable insertion portion to receive the first cable and a second end with a second cable insertion portion to receive the second cable; at least one guideway adapted to bring a first electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a first electrical conductor of the second cable and to bring a second electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a second electrical conductor of the second cable; and a first contact means and a second contact means arranged in the at least one guideway, the first contact means providing electrical contact between the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable and the second contact means providing electrical contact between the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable. The contact means and the at least one guideway allow for visual determination of the position of the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in the at least one guideway; accessing the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable from outside the connector; and positioning the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in relation to the first contact means and positioning the second electrical conductors of the first cable and second cable in relation to said second contact means.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for connecting a first cable to a second cable is disclosed. A first electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a first electrical conductor of said second cable, and a second electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a second electrical conductor of said second cable, said first and second cables both includes at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors both include at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and said first and second cables both include an outer jacket. The method includes providing the connector as described in the earlier section, removing said outer jacket in a first section extending from an open end of said first cable, and removing said outer jacket in a second section extending from an open end of said second cable; arranging said open end of said first cable in said first cable insertion portion and said open end of said second cable in said second cable insertion portion of said connector; arranging said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables in a first contact means that is arranged in said at least one guideway, and arranging said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables in a second contact means that is arranged in said at least one guideway; and establishing an electrical contact between said first electrical conductors of said first and said second cables and between said second electrical conductors of said first and said second cables using the first contact means and the second contact means.
In another embodiment, a kit for connecting a first cable to a second cable is disclosed. A first electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a first electrical conductor of said second cable, and a second electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a second electrical conductor of said second cable, said first and second cables both comprising at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors both comprising at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and said first and second cables both comprising an outer jacket. The kit includes a connector as described in the earlier section; means for forcing a first insulation displacement means and a second insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer surrounding said first and second electrical conductors of said first and second cables respectively; means for indicating a first indicator length that is to be cut from the part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into a first section where said jacket has been removed and from the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into a second section where said jacket has been removed; means for indicating a second indicator length that is to be cut from the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into the first section where said jacket has been removed and from the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into a second section where said jacket has been removed; and wherein the first indicator length is different from the second indicator length.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a sleeve for protecting a connection is disclosed. The sleeve includes a removable core wherein said removable core includes at least two expansion members, said at least two expansion members having a coiled part, wherein the combined length of the expansion members is substantially the same length as the sleeve and being arranged inside the sleeve, wherein each core is removable by pulling one end of the expansion member.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a knife is disclosed. The knife comprises a body having an at least one blade and an at least one protective guard covering the at least blade, wherein the at least one protective guard is removable before the knife is used for removing an outer jacket and insulation layer of a cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES Figure 1 show a two-part connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 2 is a close up of the means for assembling an interlocking the two parts of the connector of the connector of Figure 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the connector according to the invention, wherein mounting lugs are positioned on the inside of the connector, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a close-up of the mounting lugs according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the connector according to the invention, wherein the mounting lugs are placed on the exterior of the connector, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows the connector according to Figure 5 when assembled according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 shows the parts of one embodiment of the connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8a shows the sleeve in a temporary position on one cable which is connected to another cable according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8b shows the sleeve in its final position over the assembled connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 shows the sleeve according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 shows a closed structure connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1 1 shows a front and side views of the connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 shows a schematic presentation of a sleeve according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 13 shows a hex-key according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 14 shows a knife according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 15 shows a front and side view of the knife according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present context, the term "axially" means along a straight line extending between the centre of said first end of the connector and the centre of said second end of the connector.
The terms first cable and second cables relates to both the situation where two distinct cables are to be connected and the situation where a single cable is broken and the connector according to the invention is used to repair the cable. In the latter situation, the term a first cable is used to designate one part of the broken single cable and the term a second cable is used to designate the other part of the broken single cable.
The term guideway includes grooves, channel, duct, track, and other shapes, which may provide same functionality, such as receiving the cables, placing the contact means, and positioning of the conductors from outside the connector, as the guideway.
According to an embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 1 , a connector for connecting a first cable to a second cable or for repairing broken cables is disclosed. The connector includes a first end with a first cable insertion portion to receive the first cable and a second end with a second cable insertion portion to receive the second cable; at least one guideway adapted to bring a first electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a first electrical conductor of the second cable and to bring a second electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a second electrical conductor of the second cable; and a first contact means and a second contact means arranged in the at least one guideway, the first contact means providing electrical contact between the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable and the second contact means providing electrical contact between the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable. The contact means and the at least one guideway allow for visual determination of the position of the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in the at least one guideway; accessing the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable from outside the connector; and positioning the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in relation to the first contact means and positioning the second electrical conductors of the first cable and second cable in relation to said second contact means.
The guideways receives the electrical conductors of the cables and the contact means are placed in the guideway. The guideways are open to the surroundings and a user may access the electrical conductors and position said electrical conductors quickly in respective correct/ desired positions, thus allowing electrical contact to be established between the two cables within a few minutes. The connector may be used at for instance at a harbor where it is essential to minimize the delay caused by a broken cable.
The connector according to the invention provides several advantages over prior art connectors such as requiring less time for connecting two cables or for repairing a broken cable and a compact connector with a circumference which is in the order of the circumference of the cables that the connector connects. This is made possible by positioning the contact means at different axial positions.
The connector according to the present invention may have at least one of the following features:
• Guideway for the electrical conductors of the cables • Contact means with insulation displacement means • The contact means being placed at different distances from the one of the ends of the connector
• A sleeve which may be placed around the connector
• Assembling means to assemble a two-part connector
The features are described in more detail in the following sections.
In an embodiment of the invention, the connector is suitable for connecting a first cable to a second cable. The first cable comprises at least two electrical conductors, such as a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, and an outer jacket that has been removed in a first section extending from an open end of the first cable. The second cable comprises at least two electrical conductors, such as a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, and an outer jacket that has been removed in a second section extending from an open end of the second cable. The first and second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable comprise at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer.
The first contact means is positioned at a first distance from the first end of the connector and the second contact means is positioned at a second distance from the first end of the connector. In one embodiment, said first distance and second distance being different from each other.
In another embodiment of the invention, the connector includes a first part and a second part. The first part comprises means for arranging the first part to an open end of said first cable and said second part comprises means for arranging the second part to an open end of said second cable. Each part includes assembling means for allowing the first part and the second part to be assembled in a manner such that the at least one guideway of the first part and the second part extend along the length of the connector and are aligned in a manner as to bring corresponding conductors of the first cable and the second cable in close proximity. In one embodiment of the invention, the assembling means comprises a mounting lug-recess assembly, wherein the mounting lug and the recess are comprised in the first part and the second part respectively and the mounting lug is adapted to b pressed and placed in the recess for interlocking the first part with the second part. Preferably, said first part of the connector is identical to said second part of the connector. Preferably said first part and said second part comprises means for locking to each other when being assembled. Preferably said first part and said second part can be releasably interlocked. In yet another preferred embodiment, the connector is fabricated as a one part unit still providing essentially all the features of a two-part connector.
The connector includes a first guideway receiving the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable; and a second guideway receives the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable.
In another embodiment of the invention, said first and said second ends of said connector are axially tapered towards the ends of said connector, thus avoiding any sharp edges.
In an embodiment, the radial dimension of the connector perpendicular to the axial direction of the first cable and the second cable is less than 2 times the diameter of said cables, preferably less that 1.5 times the diameter of said cables, preferably less than 1.25 times the diameter of said cables, preferably less than 1.15 times the diameter of said cables.
In another embodiment, the connector is elongated, preferably substantially cylindrical, preferably tapered towards the ends. Preferably, the length of the connector in the axial direction is in the range 25mm to 150mm, preferably in the range 40mm to 125mm, preferably in the range 50mm to 100mm. The contact means may also be elongated along and within the length of the connector.
Preferably, the connector is fabricated in a robust non-conducting material. The connector is preferably fabricated in a plastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a polymer material such as polyamide 66 (PA66) or rubber, a metals, an insulator or combinations thereof.
Preferably, said first and second cable insertion portions of said connector accepts cables of different cross sections, and said first and second contact means accepts electrical conductors of different cross sections. Preferably, said first and second cable insertion portions of said connector accepts cables of different diameters, and said first and second contact means accepts electrical conductors of different diameters. Preferably, said first and second cable insertion portions accepts cables with a diameter in the range 10mm to 40mm, preferably in the range 15mm to 35mm, preferably in the range 20mm to 30mm. Preferably, said first and second contact means accepts electrical conductors with a diameter in the range 1 mm to 10mm, preferably in the range 3mm to 8mm, preferably in the range 4mm to 6 mm.
In a preferred embodiment, said first cable insertion portion and said second cable insertion portion are oriented in such a manner so as to maintain said first cable and said second cable substantially in parallel.
Guideway The connector comprises at least one guideway for bringing said electrical conductors of said cables into contact. In one embodiment one guideway may hold at least one electrical conductor of each cable, preferably all the electrical conductors of the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the connector provides a first guideway for said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables and a second guideway for said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables. In preferred embodiment, the guideways include smooth edges along the length of the connector to avoid damaging the cables and electrical conductors.
In one embodiment of the connector according to the present invention, said at least one guideway extends from said first end of said connector to said second end of said connector in a substantially straight manner. In other embodiments said at least one guideway is not straight. In one such embodiment, said at least one guideway extends from said first end of said connector to said second end of said connector in a substantially helical manner, whereby the at least one guideway is twisted around the axis of the connector. In embodiments, guideway comprise at least two helical shaped guideways, said at least two helical shaped guideways are intertwined and translated along the axis of the connector. In other such embodiments, said at least one guideway comprises at least one bend. In one embodiment, the guideway comprises stopping means that defines how far a contact means that slides into the guideway get. This can be a notch somewhere along length of the guideway, said notch preventing the contact means from getting further inside the groove. Contact means that enters their respective guideways from opposite ends will then automatically be axially displaced in the connector.
The guideways are arranged in a manner allowing a user to visually determine the position of the electrical conductors in the grooves and to access the electrical conductors from the outside allowing the user to assist in positioning the electrical conductors in relation to the contact means.
Contact means
In a preferred embodiment, said at least first contact means and second contact means comprises a first insulation displacement means and a second insulation displacement means respectively for penetrating said insulating layer to engage and electrically connect to said conductive cores of first and second electrical conductors of said first and second cables, so that an electrical contact is established between said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables and between said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables. The two contact means are axially displaced along the connector.
Preferably, said first contact means comprises at least one lumen being sized to accept and surround said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables, and said second contact means comprises at least one lumen being sized to accept and surround said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables.
In one embodiment, the first and second insulation displacement means of said first and second contact means comprises pointed members, such as a slotted screw, a crosshead screw and/or a hex screw. The first and second insulation displacement means may also comprise sharp members, such as a razor blade.
Preferably, said first contact means comprise at least two engagement recesses providing access to said at least one lumen of said first contact means whereby said insulation displacement means can engage said conducting core of said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables from the outside and said second contact means comprises at least two engagement recesses providing access to said at least one lumen of said second contact means whereby said insulation displacement means can engage said conducting core of said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables from the outside.
In a preferred embodiment, the difference between said first and second distances exceeds the size of the contact means so that there is no overlap in the axial direction between said first and second contact means. In other words, the first distance and the second distance are such that there is no overlap between the first contact means and the second contact means.
In another embodiment, said difference between said first and second distances is so that there is only a partial overlap between said first and second contact means along the axial direction of the connector. In other words, the first distance and second distance are such that there is only a partial overlap between the first contact means and the second contact means.
In one embodiment of the connector, the position of said first and second contact means in said at least one guideway may be adjusted individually. In another preferred embodiment of the connector, the position of said first and second contact means in said at least one guideway is fixed. Preferably, the distance of said first contact means from said first end of said connector equals the distance of said second contact means from said second end of said connector and the distance of said first contact means from said second end of said connector equals the distance of said second contact means from said first end of said connector.
In a preferred embodiment, said first distance is so that said first electrical conductor of said first cable can reach into said first contact means and be engaged by said insulation displacement means when the length of said first conductor of said first cable in the first section, where said jacket has been removed is substantially equal to the short arm of a hex key, and wherein said second distance is so that said second electrical conductor of said first cable can reach into said second contact means and be engaged by said insulation displacement means when the length of said second conductor of said first cable in said first section where said jacket has been removed is substantially equal to the long arm of a hex key. The shapes of said first and second contact means are so that the contact means can be arranged in said at least one guideway of the connector. In a preferred embodiment said first and second contact means are elongated with a cylindrical shape, where the axis of said cylinder is substantially parallel with the axial direction of the connector when said first and second contact means are arranged in said at least one guideway.
Alternatively the electrical contact between the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable is established by a means that engages the first electrical conductors of which the insulating layers have been stripped off; and the electrical contact between the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable is established by a means that engages the second electrical conductors of which the insulating layers have been stripped off.
In a preferred embodiment, the contact means comprises at least one inspection hole/ display recess that allows the user to determine when the electrical conductors placed in said contact means has reached a specific position inside the contact means. Preferably, the inspection hole/ display recess is positioned in between the two engagement recesses for driving insulation displacement means into the electrical conductors. The display recess allows for visual determination of the position of the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in the at least one guideway.
In one embodiment, the connector kit according to the present invention comprises preferably a third contact means for connecting a third electrical conductor of said first cable to a third electrical conductor of said second cable, preferably a fourth contact means for connecting a third electrical conductor of said first cable to a fourth electrical conductor of said second cable, preferably at least a fifth contact means for connecting at least a fifth electrical conductor of said first cable to at least a fifth electrical conductor of said second cable.
Sleeve
In one embodiment, the connector comprises a sleeve, which can be arranged temporarily on one of said first and second cables prior to connecting said first and second cables and said sleeve can be arranged over the connector when said first and second cables have been connected, said sleeve electrically insulating at least said first and second contact means from the surroundings and providing mechanical protection of the contact means by forming a closed structure connector. The closed structure connecter provides a closed guideway, which is covered by the sleeve. The closed guideway provides higher mechanical strength as well as protection against external weather conditions such as moisture, temperature, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve comprises a removable core with at least one expansion member keeping the sleeve expanded. The expansion member comprises a strip-like member, which in one end is arranged in a coiled manner and in the other end is substantially straight. In embodiments where the removable core comprises just one expansion member, the coiled part of the expansion member has substantially the same length as the sleeve and is arranged inside the sleeve. The substantially straight end of the expansion means is arranged so that it is travels through the coiled part and points out of the sleeve at the end opposite to where it starts. In a preferred embodiment of the sleeve comprise at least two expansion members, such as two expansion members wherein the expansion members have a length substantially comparable to half the length of the sleeve. The expansion means are arranged so that their coiled ends are positioned substantially at the centre of the sleeve. The substantially straight ends of each of the expansion members are arranged so that they are going back through their coiled parts and points out of the opposite sleeve end. When pulling these freely extending ends, the expansion means collapses and the sleeve shrinks to fit an item placed inside the sleeve. The sleeve includes a substantially straight part extending from the most inner part of an expansion member and traveling through the coiled part and points out of the sleeve, said substantially straight part being used for pulling said expansion member out of the sleeve. The sleeve is capable of shrinking to a smaller cross section when the core is removed.
The sleeve may be produced from any suitable material, wherein said material is resilient and capable of shrinking when said core is removed, so that is fits tightly around the connection. In particular elastomeric materials may be used. In other embodiments, the sleeve may also be made up of a combination of materials, such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene M-class) rubber and silicon rubber to improve shrinkable properties, especially at cold temperature. The combination materials provide a wider operating temperature range such as between -40 deg C to 50 deg C. Cables
The connector according to the present invention and the method for using this connector provides means for connecting a first cable to a second cable. The cables may have different number of electrical conductors and the electrical conductors may be arranged in various manners in the cable. It is a requirement for the method to be applicable, that the electrical conductors can be accessed independently by the contact means used for establishing a connection between the electrical conductors of the first and second cables. Preferably, the said first and second cables both comprise at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors comprising at least one conducting core being surrounded by at least one insulating layer. The first and second cables further comprise an outer jacket for supporting and protecting the electrical conductors of the first and second cables.
Electrical conductors The connector according the present invention comprises means for connecting cables comprising a plurality of electrical conductor, such as when said first and second cables comprises 2 electrical conductors, preferably at least 3 electrical conductors, preferably at least 4 electrical conductors.
In a preferred embodiment, the connector is suitable for connecting high power cables. Preferably, the connector is suitable for connecting cables used at harbors when loading and unloading a ship.
Method According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for connecting a first cable to a second cable is disclosed. A first electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a first electrical conductor of said second cable, and a second electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a second electrical conductor of said second cable, said first and second cables both includes at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors both include at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and said first and second cables both include an outer jacket.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second cables are connected using the connector according to the present invention. The method includes removing said outer jacket in a first section extending from an open end of said first cable, and removing said outer jacket in a second section extending from an open end of said second cable; arranging said open end of said first cable in said first cable insertion portion and said open end of said second cable in said second cable insertion portion of said connector; arranging said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables in a first contact means that is arranged in said at least one guideway, and arranging said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables in a second contact means that is arranged in said at least one guideway; and establishing an electrical contact between said first electrical conductors of said first and said second cables and between said second electrical conductors of said first and said second cables using the first contact means and the second contact means.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second cables are connected using the connector according to the present invention. An open end of said first cable is arranged in said first cable insertion portion and the open end of said second cable is arranged in said second cable insertion portion of said connector. The first electrical conductors of said first and second cables is arranged in said first contact means arranged in said at least one groove, and said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables is arranged in said second contact means in said at least one groove. An electrical contact between said first electrical conductors of said first and said second cables and between said second electrical conductors of said first and said second cables is established.
Preferably, the part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section are cut to substantially equal lengths, and the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section are cut to substantially equal lengths. In a preferred embodiment, a hex key is used for determining the lengths to which the first and second electrical conductors of said first and second cables are cut. The part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section are cut to a length substantially equal to the short arm of a hex key, and the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section are cut to lengths substantially equal to the long arm of a hex key.
In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the connector according to the present invention comprises a first part and a second part. Said first part is arranged to an open end of said first cable and said second part is arranged to an open end of said second cable. Said first part and said second part are joined in a manner whereby said at least one guideway extends along the length of the connector.
In a preferred embodiment, a sleeve is used in order to protect the current carrying parts of said connector and said first and seconds cables. Prior to joining the first and second ends of said connector, the sleeve is arranged temporarily on one of said first and second cables. When the electrical contact between said first and said second cable has been established, the sleeve is arranged over said connector whereby said first and second contact means are shielded from the surroundings. Preferably, said sleeve is pre-stretched on a removable core, where said core comprises means for removing it from one end of the sleeve, preferably from both ends of the sleeve. In one embodiment, the sleeve comprises a cold-shrink removable core. The removable core comprises a means for removing the removable core from one end of the sleeve, preferably from both ends of the sleeve.
Preferably, the method according to the present invention comprises connecting a third electrical conductor of said first cable to a third electrical conductor of said second cable. Preferably, the method comprises connecting a fourth electrical conductor of said first cable to a fourth electrical conductor of said second cable, preferably at least a fifth electrical conductor of said first cable to at least a fifth electrical conductor of said second cable.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first contact means is positioned at a first distance from said first end of the connector and said second contact means is positioned at a second distance from said first end of the connector, said first and second distances being different from each other. The method further includes cutting the part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section to lengths substantially equal to the short arm of a hex key, and cutting the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section to lengths substantially equal to the long arm of a hex key.
In another embodiment of the invention, a sleeve is temporarily arranged on one of said first and second cables prior to connecting said first and second cables, and further comprising arranging said sleeve over said connector when the electrical contact between said first and said second cable has been established, said sleeve protecting the contact means from the surroundings and forming a closed structure connector.
In other embodiments of the invention, the method comprises connecting a plurality of electrical conductors of the first cable to a plurality of conductors of the second cable, such as connecting a third electrical conductor of the first cable to a third electrical conductor of the second cable, or connecting a fourth electrical conductor of the first cable to a fourth electrical conductor of the second cable; or connecting a fifth electrical conductor of the first cable to at least a fifth electrical conductor of the second cable.
Kit
In another embodiment, a kit for connecting a first cable to a second cable is disclosed. A first electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a first electrical conductor of said second cable, and a second electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a second electrical conductor of said second cable, said first and second cables both comprising at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors both comprising at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and said first and second cables both comprising an outer jacket.
The kit includes the connector and a hex key. The hexkey may be used to measure the lengths of the electrical conductors in a manner ensuring that the contact means in the guideways are axially displaced. The kit includes a connector as described in the earlier section; means for forcing a first insulation displacement means and a second insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer surrounding said first and second electrical conductors of said first and second cables respectively; means for indicating a first indicator length that is to be cut from the part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into a first section where said jacket has been removed and from the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into a second section where said jacket has been removed; means for indicating a second indicator length that is to be cut from the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into the first section where said jacket has been removed and from the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into a second section where said jacket has been removed; and wherein the first indicator length is different from the second indicator length.
In a preferred embodiment, the means for indicating said first and second indicator lengths comprises a hex key with a first arm with a length according to said first indicator length, and a second arm with a length according to said second indicator length. Preferably, the distance between two flat edges of said hex key is so that the hex key can be used to force the insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer surrounding each electrical conductor.
Preferably, the distance between two flat edges of the hex key equals 0.7 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.25 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 1 1 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 27 mm, 30 mm, 32 mm, 36 mm, 42 mm, 46 mm or any distance in between 0.7 mm and 46mm. Preferably, the hex key matches a socket size equal to 7/64 inches, 9/64 inches, 5/32 inches, 3/16 inches, % inches, 5/16 inches, 3/8 inches, ΛA inches, 5/8 inches, 3A inches, or any socket size in between 7/64 inches and 3A inches.
In order to be able to access said first and second electrical conductors of said first and second cables, the kit according to the present invention preferably comprises means for removing said outer jacket in a first section extending from the open end of said first cable, and for removing said outer jacket in a second section extending from the open end of said second cable. In another embodiment of the invention, the kit includes a sleeve for protecting the contact means from the surroundings and forming a closed structure connector. The sleeve includes a removable core and an insulating layer that fits tightly to said connector when said removable core is removed.
The removable core includes an expansion member with a coiled part having substantially the same length as the sleeve and being arranged inside the sleeve and a substantially straight part that is arranged so that it is travels through the coiled part and points out of the sleeve.
In an embodiment of the invention, the removable core comprises two expansion members, the expansion members have a length substantially comparable to half the length of the sleeve.
In another embodiment of the invention, the distance between two flat edges of said hex key is so that it matches the hex screw, so that the hex key is adapted to be used to force the insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the kit also includes a knife. The knife includes a body having at least one blade and at least one protective guard covering the at least one blade, wherein the at least one protective guard is removable before the knife is used for removing an outer jacket and insulation layer of a cable. The protective guard prevents a user from getting injured while handling the knife.
The knife includes a first end of the body that forms support and position surface for a user of the knife, when the knife is in use.
In one of the embodiments, the edge of the at least one blade is directed perpendicularly inwards towards the longitudinal axis of the knife.
In an embodiment, the at least one protective guard is made up of a breakable material, wherein the at least one protective guard is broken, thereby removing the protective guard and exposing the blade for use. In yet another embodiment, the at least one protective guard is secured to the knife body by an at least one attaching means such as a screw, wherein the at least one protective guard is removed by removing the at least one attaching means, thereby removing the at least one protective guard and exposing the blade for use.
A person skilled in the art would appreciate that providing more than one blade or multiple blades with a single protective guard and multiple blades with individual or shared protective guards are within the scope of this invention.
Examples
With reference to Figures 1-6, the connector according to various embodiments of the invention is described. The Figures show embodiments with a total of four gateways (4) extending along the axis of the connector (1 ), but any number from one and upwards can in principle be realized.
Figures 1 and 2 show a 2-part version, a first part (6) and a second part (7), of the connector (1 ) according to an embodiment of the invention. The first and second parts may be named differently, such as a front part and a back part and the two parts may be called in reversed order as well. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that such modifications are still within the spirit of the invention. When the two parts are assembled they form a single connector with a first cable insertion portion (2) in one (first) end (8) and second cable insertion portion (3) in the other (second) end (9). The two parts seen in Figures 1-2 are identical and provides assembling means (5) for locking the parts together. In figure 2 showing a close-up of the connector depicted in Figure 1 , ribs (10) providing additional support are also seen. When assembled the cables extends out of the first cable insertion portion (2) and the second cable insertion portion (3).
Figures 3 and 4 shows an embodiment where said first part (6) and second part (7) of the connector (1 ) comprises assembling members (5) with mounting lugs (1 1 ) positioned on the inside. When said first and second parts are brought together, the mounting lugs (11 ) are pressed into corresponding recesses (12) on the opposite part of the connector, and the two parts of the assembled connector are interlocked.
Figure 5 show another embodiment of the connector. In this embodiment the mounting lugs (11 ) and the corresponding recesses (12) that interacts with said mounting lugs (1 1 ) when the connector (1 ) is assembled are placed on the outside of the connector (1 ). Figure 6 shows the connector (1 ) according to Figure 5 when the first part and the second part are assembled using the assembling means.
Figure 7 shows the parts of a connector according to an embodiment of the invention suitable for connecting two cables each carrying a current in four electrical conductors. The connector comprises a first cable insertion portion (2), a second cable insertion portion (3) and a body comprising four gateways (4), one for each electrical conductor of the two cables that are connected using the connector. A total of four contact means (13) each comprising an inspection hole/ display recess (16), a lumen (14), and two recesses (15) providing access for the insulation displacement means to any electrical conductors positioned in the lumen (15).
Figures 8a and 8b show a schematic presentation of how a sleeve is arranged on a connector according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 8a, the sleeve (16) with a removable core (17) comprising means (18, 19) for removing the core from both ends of the sleeve is temporarily arranged on a first cable (20). The first cable (20) is connected to a second cable (21 ) using the connector (1 ). In Figure 8b the sleeve (16) has been moved to the position of the connector (1 ) and the removable core has been removed, whereby the sleeve (16) has shrunk to fit tightly around the connector (1 ).
Figure 9 shows the sleeve (16) according to an embodiment of the invention. The sleeve with the removable core (17) includes means (18, 19) for removing the core in both ends of the sleeve. The removable core (17) comprises two expansion members (20), which in this embodiment are terminated just outside the ends of the sleeve (16). Near the centre of the sleeve, the otherwise coiled strip of the expansion members is not coiled but instead extends freely to an end of the sleeve (16). When pulling these freely extending ends (18, 19), the expansion means collapses and the sleeve shrinks to fit an item placed inside the sleeve.
Figure 10 shows a closed structure connector (1 ), according to an embodiment of the invention, having closed guideway (4) and the contact means (13). The closed structure connecter provides a closed guideway, which is covered by the sleeve. The closed guideway provides higher mechanical strength as well as protection against external weather conditions such as moisture, temperature, etc. The engagement recess includes an insulation display means, such as a piercing screw (21 ) for penetrating the insulating layer to engage and electrically connect to the conductive cores of respective cables. The first end is shown as numeral 8 and the distance of the first contact means (28) from the first end, i.e. first distance, is represented by T, whereas the distance of the second contact means (29) from the first end, i.e. second distance, is represented by 's', and in the represented embodiment, the first distance and the second distance is such that the first contact means and the second contact means are not overlapping.
Figure 11 shows a front and side views of the connector (1 ) according to an embodiment of the invention. The connector includes a first end (8) with a first cable insertion portion (2) to receive the first cable and a second end (9) with a second cable insertion (3) portion to receive the second cable; at least one guideway adapted to bring an electrical conductor (22) of the first cable in close proximity with an electrical conductor (23) of the second cable. A contact means (13) is arranged in the at least one guideway, the contact means (13) providing electrical contact between the electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable using an insulation displacement means (21 ), which are placed in the engagement recesses (15). The contact means and the at least one guideway allow for visual determination of the position of the electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in the at least one guideway through a display recess/ inspection hole (16); accessing the electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable from outside the connector; and positioning the electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in relation to the contact. A skilled person would appreciate that although the description is referring only to one of the two shown conductors and implementation for one of the conductors, contact means, recesses, etc., however, similar explanation applies for the other set of the conductors, contact means, recesses (shown in the figure) of the first and second cable as well. The axial axis along the length of the conductor is displayed by numeral 24.
Figure 12 shows a schematic presentation of a sleeve according to an embodiment of the invention. The sleeve (16), which is made up of EPDM, with a removable core (17) includes means (18, 19) for removing the removable core (17) from both ends of the sleeve, which in application is temporarily arranged on a first cable. Figure 13 shows a hexkey (25) according to an embodiment of the invention. The hexkey, represented in Figure 13 and usually made of carbon steel, shows short arm (26) with a length of 'd', and a long arm (27) having a length of 'D'. In addition, the hexkey has a distance between two flat edges, represented by F, such that the hex key may be used to force the insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer surrounding each electrical conductor.
Figure 14 shows a knife according to an embodiment of the invention. The knife (30) comprises a body (31 ) having at least one blade (32) with edge (35) and at least one protective guard (33) covering the at least one blade, wherein the at least one protective guard is removable before the knife is used for removing an outer jacket and insulation layer of a cable. The knife includes a first end (34) of the body that forms support and position surface for a user of the knife, when the knife is in use.
Figure 15 shows a front and side view of the knife according to an embodiment of the invention. Reference numerals 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, and 35 represent the knife, body, blade, protective guard, first end, and edge of the knife respectively, as shown in Figure 14 above. The edge (35) is directed perpendicularly inwards towards the longitudinal axis (36) of the knife. In an embodiment, the at least one protective guard (33) is made up of a breakable material, wherein the at least one protective guard (33) is broken along the line (37), thereby removing the protective guard and exposing the blade for use. In yet another embodiment, the at least one protective guard is secured to the knife body by an at least one attaching means (38) such as a screw, wherein the at least one protective guard (33) is removed by removing the at least one attaching means (38), thereby removing the at least one protective guard and exposing the blade for use. In one embodiment, the at least one protective guard may be individually and separately engaged with the knife over the edge with a strip (39 and 39'). However, in another embodiment, the at least one protective guard may be engaged with the knife with a shared continuous strip (39 and 39' connected via 40).
It is important to note that Figures 1-15 illustrate specific applications and embodiments of the invention, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure or claims to that which is presented therein. Throughout the foregoing description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details, such as two cables having two electrical conductors each, circular shaped display recess, etc., were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practised without some of these specific details and by employing different embodiments in combination with one another. The underlying principles of the invention may be employed using a virtually unlimited number of different combinations.
Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a first cable to a second cable, comprising: a first end with a first cable insertion portion to receive the first cable and a second end with a second cable insertion portion to receive the second cable;
at least one guideway adapted to bring a first electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a first electrical conductor of the second cable and to bring a second electrical conductor of the first cable in close proximity with a second electrical conductor of the second cable;
a first contact means and a second contact means arranged in the at least one guideway, the first contact means providing electrical contact between the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable and the second contact means providing electrical contact between the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable; and
wherein, the contact means and the at least one guideway allow for: visual determination of the position of the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in the at least one guideway;
accessing the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable from outside the connector; and
positioning the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in relation to the first contact means and positioning the second electrical conductors of the first cable and second cable in relation to said second contact means.
2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein: the first cable comprises at least two electrical conductors and an outer jacket that has been removed in a first section extending from an open end of the first cable; the second cable comprises at least two electrical conductors and an outer jacket that has been removed in a second section extending from an open end of the second cable; and the electrical conductors comprise at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer.
3. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first contact means is positioned at a first distance from the first end of the connector and the second contact means is positioned at a second distance from the first end of the connector, said first distance and second distance being different from each other.
4. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the first contact means comprises a first insulation displacement means for penetrating the insulating layer to engage and electrically connect to the conducting cores of the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable so that an electrical contact is established between the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable; and the second contact means comprises a second insulation displacement means for penetrating the insulating layer to engage and electrically connect to the conducting cores of the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable so that an electrical contact is established between the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable.
5. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first insulation displacement means and the second insulation displacement means comprise pointed members, such as a slotted screw, a crosshead screw and/or a hex screw.
6. The connector according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first insulation displacement means and the second insulation displacement means comprise sharp members, such as a razor blade.
7. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the first contact means comprises at least one lumen being sized to receive and surround the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable; and the second contact means comprises at least one lumen being sized to receive and surround the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable.
8. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the first contact means comprises at least two engagement recesses providing access to the at least one lumen of the first contact means whereby the first insulation displacement means is adapted to engage the conducting cores of the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable from outside the connector; and the second contact means comprises at least two engagement recesses providing access to the at least one lumen of the second contact means whereby the second insulation displacement means is adapted to engage the conducting core of the second electrical conductors of the at least first cable and second cable from outside the connector.
9. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact means and the second contact means comprise a display recess allowing for visual determination of the position of the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable in the at least one guideway.
10. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first distance and the second distance are such that there is no overlap between the first contact means and the second contact means.
1 1. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first distance and second distance are such that there is only a partial overlap between the first contact means and the second contact means.
12. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first end and the second end of the connector are axially tapered towards the ends of the connector.
13. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first part and a second part, each comprising assembling means for allowing the first part and the second part to be assembled in a manner to be assembled in a manner such that the at least one guideway of the first part and the second part extend along the length of the connector and are aligned in a manner as to bring corresponding conductors of the first cable and the second cable in close proximity.
14. The connector according to claim 13, wherein the assembling means comprises a mounting lug-recess assembly, wherein the mounting lug and the recess are comprised in the first part and the second part respectively and the mounting lug is adapted to b pressed and placed in the recess for interlocking the first part with the second part.
15. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: a first guideway receives the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable; and a second guideway receives the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable.
16. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radial dimension of the connector perpendicular to the axial direction of the first cable and the second cable is less than 2 times the diameter of said cables, preferably less that 1.5 times the diameter of said cables, preferably less than 1.25 times the diameter of said cables, preferably less than 1.15 times the diameter of said cables.
17. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sleeve, which is placed temporarily on one of the first cable and the second cable prior to connecting the first cable and the second cable.
18. The connector according to claim 17, wherein the sleeve is adapted to arrange over the connector when said first and second cables have been connected, the sleeve electrically isolating at least the first contact means and the second contact means from the surroundings and providing mechanical protection of the contact means by forming a closed structure connector.
19. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve arranged over the connector is pre-stretched on a removable core.
20. The connector according to claim 19, wherein said removable core comprises a means for removing the removable core from one end of the sleeve, preferably from both ends of the sleeve.
21. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cable and the second cable insertion portions accepts cables of different cross sections.
22. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact means and the second contact means accept electrical conductors of different cross sections.
23. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cable insertion portion and the second cable insertion portion are oriented in such a manner as to maintain the first cable and the second cable substantially in parallel with respect to each other.
24. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one guideway extends from the first end of the connector to the second end of the connector in a substantially straight manner.
25. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the position of the first contact means and the second contact means in said at least one guideway is fixed.
26. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance of the first contact means from the first end of the connector equals the distance of the second contact means from the second end of said connector.
27. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance of the first contact means from the second end of the connector equals the distance of the second contact means from the first end of said connector.
28. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the first distance is such that the first electrical conductor of the first cable reaches into the first contact means and engages by the first insulation displacement means when the length of said first conductor of said first cable in the section where said jacket has been removed is substantially equal to the short arm of a hex key; and the second distance is such that the second electrical conductor of the first cable reaches into the second contact means and engages by the second insulation displacement means when the length of said second conductor of said first cable in the section where said jacket has been removed is substantially equal to the long arm of a hex key.
29. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the positions of the first contact means and the second contact means in the at least one guideway are individually adjustable.
30. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector and/or the first contact means and second contact means are elongated.
31. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the electrical contact between the first electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable is established by a means that engages the first electrical conductors of which the insulating layers have been stripped off;; and the electrical contact between the second electrical conductors of the first cable and the second cable is established by a means that engages the second electrical conductors of which the insulating layers have been stripped off.
32. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cable and the second cable comprises 2 electrical conductors, preferably at least 3 electrical conductors, preferably at least 4 electrical conductors.
33. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a third contact means for connecting a third electrical conductor of the first cable to a third electrical conductor of the second cable; a fourth contact means for connecting a fourth electrical conductor of the first cable to a fourth electrical conductor of the second cable; and a fifth contact means for connecting a fifth electrical conductor of the first cable to at least a fifth electrical conductor of the second cable.
34. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cable insertion portion is sized to accept and surround the first cable and said second cable insertion portion is sized to accept and surround the second cable.
35. A method for connecting a first cable to a second cable, wherein a first electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a first electrical conductor of said second cable, and a second electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a second electrical conductor of said second cable, said first and second cables both comprising at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors both comprising at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and said first and second cables both comprising an outer jacket, said method comprising: providing a connector as defined in any of claims 1-34;
removing said outer jacket in a first section extending from an open end of said first cable, and removing said outer jacket in a second section extending from an open end of said second cable;
arranging said open end of said first cable in said first cable insertion portion and said open end of said second cable in said second cable insertion portion of said connector;
arranging said first electrical conductors of said first and second cables in a first contact means that is arranged in said at least one guideway, and arranging said second electrical conductors of said first and second cables in a second contact means that is arranged in said at least one guideway; and
establishing an electrical contact between said first electrical conductors of said first and said second cables and between said second electrical conductors of said first and said second cables using the first contact means and the second contact means.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein said first contact means is positioned at a first distance from said first end of the connector and said second contact means is positioned at a second distance from said first end of the connector, said first and second distances being different from each other.
37. The method according to claim 35, further comprising cutting a part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and a part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section to substantially equal lengths, and cutting a part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and a part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section to substantially equal lengths.
38. The method according to any of the claim 35 to 37, further comprising cutting the part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section to lengths substantially equal to the short arm of a hex key, and cutting the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into said first section and the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into said second section to lengths substantially equal to the long arm of a hex key.
39. The method according to any of claims 35 to 38, wherein the connector comprises a first part and a second part comprising assembling means for allowing the first part and the second part to be assembled in a manner such that the at least one guideway of the first part and the second part extend along the length of the connector and are aligned in a manner as to bring corresponding conductors of the first cable and the second cable in close proximity.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the assembling means comprises a mounting lug-recess assembly, wherein the mounting lug and the recess are comprised in the first part and the second part respectively and pressing and placing the mounting lug in the recess for interlocking the first part with the second part.
41. The method according to any of the claims 39 to 40, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged on an open end of said first cable and on an open end of said second cable respectively.
42. The method according to any of claims 35 to 41 , further comprising arranging temporarily said sleeve on one of said first and second cables prior to connecting said first and second cables, and further comprising arranging said sleeve over said connector when the electrical contact between said first and said second cable has been established, said sleeve protecting the contact means from the surroundings and forming a closed structure connector.
43. The method according to any of claims 35 to 42, further comprising connecting a third electrical conductor of the first cable to a third electrical conductor of the second cable; connecting a fourth electrical conductor of the first cable to a fourth electrical conductor of the second cable; and connecting a fifth electrical conductor of the first cable to at least a fifth electrical conductor of the second cable.
44. A kit for connecting a first cable to a second cable, wherein a first electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a first electrical conductor of said second cable, and a second electrical conductor of said first cable is connected to a second electrical conductor of said second cable, said first and second cables both comprising at least two electrical conductors, said at least two electrical conductors both comprising at least one conducting core surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and said first and second cables both comprising an outer jacket, said kit comprising: a connector as defined in any of claims 1-34;
means for forcing a first insulation displacement means and a second insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer surrounding said first and second electrical conductors of said first and second cables respectively;
means for indicating a first indicator length that is to be cut from the part of said first conductor of said first cable that extends into a first section where said jacket has been removed and from the part of said second conductor of said second cable that extends into a second section where said jacket has been removed; means for indicating a second indicator length that is to be cut from the part of said second conductor of said first cable that extends into the first section where said jacket has been removed and from the part of said first conductor of said second cable that extends into a second section where said jacket has been removed; and
wherein the first indicator length is different from the second indicator length.
45. The kit according to claim 44, wherein said first indicator length is different from the length of said second indicator length.
46. The kit according to claim 44 or 45, wherein said means for indicating the indicator lengths comprises a hex key with a first arm with a length according to said first indicator length, and a second arm with a length according to said second indicator length.
47. The kit according to any of claims 44 to 46, further comprising means for removing said outer jacket in a first section extending from the open end of said first cable, and for removing said outer jacket in a second section extending from the open end of said second cable.
48. The kit according to any of claims 44 to 47, wherein the distance between two flat edges of said hex key is so that it matches the hex screw of claim 5, so that the hex key is adapted to be used to force the insulation displacement means through said at least one insulating layer.
49. The kit according to any of claims 44 to 48, further comprising a sleeve for protecting the contact means from the surroundings and forming a closed structure connector.
50. The kit according to claim 49, wherein the sleeve comprises a removable core and an insulating layer that fits tightly to said connector when said removable core is removed.
51. The kit according to claim 50, wherein said removable core comprises an expansion member with a coiled part having substantially the same length as the sleeve and being arranged inside the sleeve and a substantially straight part that is arranged so that it is travels through the coiled part and points out of the sleeve.
52. The kit according to claim 50, wherein said removable core comprises two expansion members, the expansion members have a length substantially comparable to half the length of the sleeve.
53. A sleeve for protecting a connection, said sleeve comprising a removable core wherein said removable core comprises at least two expansion members, said at least two expansion members having a coiled part, wherein the combined length of the expansion members is substantially the same length as the sleeve and being arranged inside the sleeve, wherein each core is removable by pulling one end of the expansion member.
54. The sleeve according to claim 53, wherein a substantially straight part is extending from the most inner part of an expansion member and traveling through the coiled part and points out of the sleeve, said substantially straight part being used for pulling said expansion member out of the sleeve.
55. The sleeve according to any of claims 53 to 54, wherein the length of each expansion member corresponds substantially to half of the length of the sleeve.
56. The sleeve according to any of the claims 53 to 55, wherein the sleeve is capable of shrinking to a smaller cross section when the core is removed.
57. A knife, comprising a body having at least one blade and at least one protective guard covering the at least one blade, wherein the at least one protective guard is removable before the knife is used for removing an outer jacket and insulation layer of a cable.
58. The knife according to claim 57, further comprising a first end of the body that forms support and position surface for a user of the knife, when the knife is in use.
59. The knife according to any of the claims 57-58, wherein edge of the at least one blade is directed perpendicularly inwards towards the longitudinal axis of the knife.
60. The knife according to any of the claims 57-59, wherein the at least one protective guard is made up of a breakable material, wherein the at least one protective guard is broken, thereby removing the protective guard and exposing the blade for use.
61. The knife according to any of the claims 57-59, wherein the at least one protective guard is secured to the knife body by an at least one attaching means such as a screw, wherein the at least one protective guard is removed by removing the at least one attaching means, thereby removing the at least one protective guard and exposing the blade for use.
PCT/DK2009/050128 2008-06-13 2009-06-12 A connector for cables WO2009149718A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09761337A EP2301114A2 (en) 2008-06-13 2009-06-12 A connector for cables

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA200800832 2008-06-13
DKPA200800832 2008-06-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009149718A2 true WO2009149718A2 (en) 2009-12-17
WO2009149718A3 WO2009149718A3 (en) 2010-03-11

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PCT/DK2009/050128 WO2009149718A2 (en) 2008-06-13 2009-06-12 A connector for cables

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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102544775A (en) * 2012-02-28 2012-07-04 吴延书 Multi-core lead electric connection method and fixing device

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GB353804A (en) * 1930-02-19 1931-07-30 Siemens Ag Improvements in or relating to sleeves for cable and like conductors
US2867680A (en) * 1955-02-09 1959-01-06 Henry D Stecher Splice box
EP0650220A2 (en) * 1993-10-20 1995-04-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Connector apparatus, housing, and connecting element
DE19850091A1 (en) * 1998-10-30 2000-05-04 Alcatel Sa Shrouding for a cable splice has an insert round the splice with cut end tongues surrounded by a compound metal/plastics film within an outer heat-shrink cuff
EP1569302A2 (en) * 2004-02-25 2005-08-31 Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH Cable-junction block

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GB353804A (en) * 1930-02-19 1931-07-30 Siemens Ag Improvements in or relating to sleeves for cable and like conductors
US2867680A (en) * 1955-02-09 1959-01-06 Henry D Stecher Splice box
EP0650220A2 (en) * 1993-10-20 1995-04-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Connector apparatus, housing, and connecting element
DE19850091A1 (en) * 1998-10-30 2000-05-04 Alcatel Sa Shrouding for a cable splice has an insert round the splice with cut end tongues surrounded by a compound metal/plastics film within an outer heat-shrink cuff
EP1569302A2 (en) * 2004-02-25 2005-08-31 Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH Cable-junction block

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102544775A (en) * 2012-02-28 2012-07-04 吴延书 Multi-core lead electric connection method and fixing device

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WO2009149718A3 (en) 2010-03-11
EP2301114A2 (en) 2011-03-30

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