WO2015125248A1

WO2015125248A1 - Relay apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015125248A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/054018
Authority: WO
Inventors: 直行大垣; 康彦小橋; 誠幸梅本
Original assignee: 行田電線株式会社; 上海行田電産有限公司
Priority date: 2014-02-20
Filing date: 2014-02-20
Publication date: 2015-08-27

Abstract

This relay apparatus performs relaying between cables for solar power generation, and is provided with a main body section having connecting terminals disposed therein, and connector members for connecting the cables to the connecting terminals. The main body section has formed therein a plurality of attaching sections to which the connector members are to be attached. The attaching sections are configured such that different kinds of connector members can be attached thereto.

Description

Relay device

The present invention relates to a relay device that relays a cable for photovoltaic power generation.

Conventionally, a relay device that is electrically connected to a plurality of solar cell modules is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This relay device is provided to collect the electric power generated by the plurality of solar cell modules and send it to the power conditioner side.

Patent Document 1 discloses a relay box in which a plurality of embedded connectors are integrally formed. The connector of the power extraction cable of the solar cell module is connected to the buried connector of the relay box.

JP 2002-58152 A

However, in the conventional relay box described above, since the types (shapes) of the plurality of embedded connectors are the same, it is difficult to cope with each construction site having different requirements. For example, when the type of connector on the solar cell module side varies depending on the construction site, it is necessary to replace the connector or use a conversion cable for converting the connector shape. In other words, there is a problem that the work when routing the cable using the relay box is complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay device capable of simplifying the cable routing operation at each construction site having different requirements. It is.

The relay device according to the present invention relays a cable for photovoltaic power generation, and includes a main body portion in which a connection terminal is arranged and a connector member for connecting the cable to the connection terminal. A plurality of attachment portions to which the connector member is attached are formed on the main body portion. And the attachment part is comprised so that attachment of a different kind of connector member is possible.

By configuring in this way, it is possible to cope with different construction sites with different requirements by attaching the necessary connector members to the mounting portion according to the construction sites. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the replacement of the connector of the cable connected to the relay device at the construction site and the use of a conversion cable for converting the connector shape. The work can be simplified.

In the relay device, the connector member holds the first connector connectable with the male connector provided on the cable, the second connector connectable with the female connector provided on the cable, and the cable not provided with the connector. Any of the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector may be attached to the attachment portion.

If constituted in this way, a required connector member can be attached to an attachment part according to each construction site.

In the above relay device, the attachment portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, has an engagement portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface, and the connector member is fitted to the attachment portion so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the attachment portion. The cylindrical portion of the connector member is formed with a recess, and when the connector member is attached to the attachment portion, the engagement portion is configured to be engaged with the recess. Also good.

With this configuration, the connector member can be easily attached to the attachment portion.

In this case, the attachment portion is provided with a seal member inside, and the cylindrical portion of the connector member is formed with an inclined surface on the inner peripheral surface, and the inclined surface is formed when the connector member is attached to the attachment portion. Thus, the mounting portion and the seal member may be configured to be pressed inward.

If constituted in this way, it is possible to improve waterproofness and dustproofness by the sealing member.

According to the relay device of the present invention, it is possible to simplify the cable handling work at each construction site having different requirements.

It is the perspective view which showed the whole structure of the relay apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which showed the whole structure of the relay apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the main-body part of the relay apparatus of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the 1st connector of the relay apparatus of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the 2nd connector of the relay apparatus of FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the 3rd connector of the relay apparatus of FIG. It is the top view which showed the whole structure of the relay apparatus by the 1st modification of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed the whole structure of the relay apparatus by the 2nd modification of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the relay device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The relay device 100 includes a main body 1 and a plurality of connector members 2 as shown in FIGS. The relay device 100 relays the photovoltaic power generation cable 50 (see FIG. 2), and is provided to collect the power generated by the plurality of solar cell modules and send it to the power conditioner side. ing. For example, the relay device 100 is connected with four cables 50 on the solar cell module side and one cable 50 on the power conditioner side. The cable 50 is a PV cable and includes a conductor, an insulating coating that covers the conductor, and a sheath that covers the insulating coating.

-Main body-
As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 1 includes a base body 11 and a plurality of attachment parts 12 formed integrally with the base body 11. The base 11 is formed so as to extend in the width direction (X direction). One attachment portion 12 is provided on one side (Y1 direction side) with respect to the base 11, and four attachment portions 12 are provided on the other side (Y2 direction side) with respect to the base 11. That is, in the present embodiment, the main body 1 is provided with five attachment portions 12. In addition, the main-body part 1 is formed with resin which has insulation.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plate-like connection terminal 3 is disposed inside the main body 1. The connection terminal 3 includes a connecting portion 31 disposed in the base 11 and a terminal portion 32 that protrudes from the connecting portion 31 toward the mounting portion 12. The connecting portion 31 is formed so as to extend in the width direction. The terminal portion 32 is formed so as to face the space 12 a formed in the attachment portion 12. The connection terminal 3 is made of a conductive metal.

The attachment portion 12 is provided for attaching the connector member 2 to the main body portion 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends from the base body 11 in the length direction (Y1 or Y2 direction). That is, the open end of one mounting portion 12 faces the Y1 direction, and the open end of the four mounting portions 12 faces the Y2 direction.

Each mounting portion 12 is formed with a plurality of notches 12b at the open end. The plurality of notches 12b are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and are formed to extend in the axial direction (length direction). The notch 12b is formed so as to be cut out in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface side toward the inner peripheral surface side. The notch 12b is formed to make it easier to bend the open end of the mounting portion 12 inward. An annular seal member 4 (see FIG. 3) is provided inside each mounting portion 12 on the open end side. The seal member 4 is formed of an elastomer such as elastic rubber.

Further, each attachment portion 12 is formed with a first engagement claw 12c and a second engagement claw 12d so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface. The first engagement claws 12c are formed at both ends in the thickness direction (Z direction), respectively. The second engaging claws 12d are formed at both ends in the width direction (X direction), respectively. The first engagement claw 12c is disposed on the base end side (the side opposite to the open end) compared to the second engagement claw 12d. The first engagement claw 12 c and the second engagement claw 12 d are provided for attaching the connector member 2 to the attachment portion 12. The second engaging claw 12 d also has a function of temporarily fixing the connector member 2 to the attachment portion 12 when attaching the connector member 2 to the attachment portion 12. The first engagement claw 12c and the second engagement claw 12d are examples of the “engagement portion” in the present invention.

And in this embodiment, each attaching part 12 is comprised so that a different kind of connector member 2 can be attached. Specifically, each attachment portion 12 is configured to be able to attach a first connector 21, a second connector 22, and a third connector 23 described later. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, one first connector 21, two second connectors 22, and two third connectors 23 are provided on the five attachment portions 12 of the main body 1. It is attached.

-Connector member-
The connector member 2 includes a first connector 21, a second connector 22, and a third connector 23.

[First connector]
The first connector 21 is a female connector and is configured to be connectable to a male connector 51 provided on the cable 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the first connector 21 includes a socket 211 that is a cylindrical terminal and a housing 212 in which the socket 211 is accommodated. Note that the socket 211 is made of conductive metal, and the housing 212 is made of insulating resin.

The socket 211 includes a cylindrical socket body 211a and a plug-in type terminal portion 211b. The socket body 211a is configured such that when the male connector 51 of the cable 50 is connected to the first connector 21, a plug (not shown) of the male connector 51 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal portion 211 b is disposed in the space 12 a of the attachment portion 12 and is connected to the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 3.

The housing 212 has a cylindrical part 212a and a connector part 212b as shown in FIG. The cylindrical part 212a is configured to be fitted to the attachment part 12 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the attachment part 12.

The cylindrical portion 212a is formed with a through hole 212c with which the first engagement claw 12c (see FIG. 4) of the attachment portion 12 is engaged. Moreover, the 1st recessed part 212d, the 2nd recessed part 212e, and the inclined surface 212f (refer FIG. 3) are formed in the internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 212a. The through hole 212c and the first recess 212d are examples of the “recess” in the present invention.

The first recess 212d is configured such that the second engagement claw 12d (see FIG. 4) of the attachment portion 12 is engaged. The second recess 212e is provided to temporarily fix the first connector 21 to the attachment portion 12 when the first connector 21 is attached to the attachment portion 12. Further, the inclined surface 212f is formed in a tapered shape (conical shape), and is configured to press the open end side of the mounting portion 12 and the seal member 4 inward (socket 211 side). Thereby, in the state where the first connector 21 is attached to the attachment portion 12, the space 12 a of the attachment portion 12 is sealed by the seal member 4. The seal member 4 is disposed between the socket body 211a and the terminal portion 211b of the socket 211.

The connector part 212b is configured to be connectable to a male connector 51 (see FIG. 2) provided on the cable 50. This connector part 212b has a cylindrical fitting part 212g and a pair of engaging parts 212h. A socket body 211a of the socket 211 is disposed inside the fitting portion 212g. Further, an annular groove 212i (see FIG. 3) is formed on the base end side on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 212g. The annular groove 212i is provided with a sealing O-ring (not shown).

And the to-be-fitted part 51a (refer FIG. 2) of the male connector 51 is fitted to the fitting part 212g of the 1st connector 21, and the to-be-engaged male connector 51 is to the engaging part 212h of the 1st connector 21. By engaging the portion 51b (see FIG. 2), the first connector 21 and the male connector 51 are coupled, and the cable 50 of the male connector 51 and the relay device 100 are electrically connected.

Note that the first connector 21 is attached to the attachment portion 12 by pushing the first connector 21 into the attachment portion 12. Specifically, the housing 212 in which the socket 211 is accommodated is moved in the axial direction with respect to the mounting portion 12 in which the seal member 4 is disposed. And the cylindrical part 212a of the housing 212 is fitted by the attachment part 12, and the 2nd engaging claw 12d is engaged by the 2nd recessed part 212e. Thereby, the first connector 21 is temporarily fixed to the mounting portion 12. At this time, the first connector 21 is fitted to the attachment portion 12 up to the front of the first engagement claw 12c. When the first connector 21 is further pushed from the temporarily fixed state, the first engagement claw 12c is engaged with the through hole 212c, and the second engagement claw 12d is engaged with the first recess 212d. Is done. At this time, the terminal portion 211 b of the socket 211 is inserted into the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 3. Further, the open end side of the mounting portion 12 and the seal member 4 are pressed inward by the tapered inclined surface 212f. Accordingly, the first connector 21 is attached to the attachment portion 12 in a state where the space 12 a is sealed by the seal member 4.

[Secondary connector]
The 2nd connector 22 is a male connector, and is comprised so that connection with the female connector 52 (refer FIG. 2) provided in the cable 50 is possible. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the second connector 22 includes a plug 221 that is a rod-shaped terminal and a housing 222 in which the plug 221 is accommodated. Note that the plug 221 is formed of a conductive metal, and the housing 222 is formed of an insulating resin.

The plug 221 has a rod-shaped plug body 221a and a plug-in type terminal portion 221b. The plug body 221a is configured to be inserted into a socket (not shown) of the female connector 52 when the female connector 52 of the cable 50 is connected to the second connector 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal portion 221 b is disposed in the space 12 a of the attachment portion 12 and is connected to the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 3.

The housing 222 has a cylindrical part 222a and a connector part 222b as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 222a is configured to be fitted to the attachment portion 12 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the attachment portion 12.

The cylindrical portion 222a is formed with a through hole 222c with which the first engagement claw 12c (see FIG. 4) of the attachment portion 12 is engaged. Moreover, the 1st recessed part 222d, the 2nd recessed part 222e, and the inclined surface 222f (refer FIG. 3) are formed in the internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 222a. The through hole 222c and the first recess 222d are examples of the “recess” in the present invention.

The first recess 222d is configured such that the second engagement claw 12d (see FIG. 4) of the attachment portion 12 is engaged. The second recess 222e is provided to temporarily fix the second connector 22 to the attachment portion 12 when the second connector 22 is attached to the attachment portion 12. In addition, the inclined surface 222f is formed in a tapered shape, and is configured to press the open end side of the mounting portion 12 and the seal member 4 inward (on the plug 221 side). Thereby, in the state where the second connector 22 is attached to the attachment portion 12, the space 12 a of the attachment portion 12 is sealed by the seal member 4. The seal member 4 is disposed between the plug main body 221a and the terminal portion 221b of the plug 221.

The connector portion 222b is configured to be connectable to the female connector 52 provided on the cable 50. The connector part 222b has a fitted part 222g and a pair of engaged parts 222h. A recessed portion 222i (see FIG. 3) is formed in the fitted portion 222g, and the plug body 221a of the plug 221 is disposed in the recessed portion 222i.

Then, the fitting portion 52a (see FIG. 2) of the female connector 52 is fitted to the fitted portion 222g of the second connector 22, and the female connector 52 is engaged with the engaged portion 222h of the second connector 22. By engaging the part 52b (see FIG. 2), the second connector 22 and the female connector 52 are coupled, and the cable 50 of the female connector 52 and the relay device 100 are electrically connected.

Note that the second connector 22 is attached to the attachment portion 12 by pushing the second connector 22 into the attachment portion 12. Specifically, the housing 222 in which the plug 221 is accommodated is moved in the axial direction with respect to the attachment portion 12 in which the seal member 4 is disposed. And the cylindrical part 222a of the housing 222 is fitted to the attachment part 12, and the 2nd engaging claw 12d is engaged with the 2nd recessed part 222e. Thereby, the second connector 22 is temporarily fixed to the mounting portion 12. At this time, the second connector 22 is fitted to the mounting portion 12 up to the front of the first engagement claw 12c. When the second connector 22 is further pushed from the temporarily fixed state, the first engagement claw 12c is engaged with the through hole 222c, and the second engagement claw 12d is engaged with the first recess 222d. Is done. At this time, the terminal portion 221 b of the plug 221 is inserted into the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 3. Further, the open end side of the mounting portion 12 and the seal member 4 are pressed inward by the tapered inclined surface 222f. Accordingly, the second connector 22 is attached to the attachment portion 12 in a state where the space 12 a is sealed by the seal member 4.

[Third connector]
The third connector 23 is configured to be able to hold a cable 50 that is not provided with a connector. The third connector 23 is made of an insulating resin. Moreover, the 3rd connector 23 has the bottomed cylindrical part 23a, as shown in FIG. An insertion hole 23b (see FIG. 3) into which the cable 50 is inserted is formed at the bottom of the cylindrical portion 23a. The cylindrical portion 23 a is configured to be fitted to the attachment portion 12 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the attachment portion 12.

The cylindrical portion 23a is formed with a through hole 23c with which the first engagement claw 12c (see FIG. 4) of the attachment portion 12 is engaged. Moreover, the 1st recessed part 23d, the 2nd recessed part 23e, and the inclined surface 23f (refer FIG. 3) are formed in the internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 23a. The through holes 23c and the first recesses 23d are examples of the “recesses” in the present invention.

The first recess 23d is configured such that the second engagement claw 12d (see FIG. 4) of the attachment portion 12 is engaged. The second recess 23 e is provided to temporarily fix the third connector 23 to the attachment portion 12 when the third connector 23 is attached to the attachment portion 12. In addition, the inclined surface 23f is formed in a tapered shape, and is configured to press the open end side of the mounting portion 12 and the seal member 4 inward (to the cable 50 side). Thereby, in a state where the third connector 23 is attached to the attachment portion 12, the space 12 a of the attachment portion 12 is sealed by the seal member 4 and the cable 50 is held. The cable 50 is provided with a plug-in type terminal 53 (see FIG. 3), and the terminal 53 is connected to the terminal part 32 of the connection terminal 3. For this reason, the cable 50 held by the third connector 23 is electrically connected to the relay device 100.

Note that the third connector 23 is attached to the attachment portion 12 by pushing the third connector 23 into the attachment portion 12. Specifically, the third connector 23 in a state where the cable 50 is inserted into the insertion hole 23b is moved in the axial direction with respect to the mounting portion 12 where the seal member 4 is disposed. And the cylindrical part 23a is fitted by the attachment part 12, and the 2nd engaging claw 12d is engaged by the 2nd recessed part 23e. Thereby, the third connector 23 is temporarily fixed to the mounting portion 12. At this time, the third connector 23 is fitted to the mounting portion 12 up to the front of the first engagement claw 12c. When the third connector 23 is further pushed from the temporarily fixed state, the first engagement claw 12c is engaged with the through hole 23c, and the second engagement claw 12d is engaged with the first recess 23d. Is done. At this time, the terminal 53 provided on the cable 50 is inserted into the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 3. Further, the open end side of the mounting portion 12 and the seal member 4 are pressed inward by the tapered inclined surface 23f. Thus, the space 12a is sealed by the seal member 4, and the third connector 23 is attached to the attachment portion 12 in a state where the cable 50 is electrically connected.

Here, in the present embodiment, an example in which one first connector 21, two second connectors 22, and two third connectors 23 are provided in the main body 1 is not limited thereto. The main body 1 may be provided with only one of the first connector 21, the second connector 22 and the third connector 23, or the first connector 21, the second connector 22 and the third connector 23. Two of them may be selected and provided. That is, any one of the first connector 21, the second connector 22, and the third connector 23 may be attached to each attachment portion 12.

Further, the attachment of the connector member 2 to the main body 1 may be performed before shipment of the relay device 100 or may be performed at a construction site.

-effect-
In the present embodiment, as described above, each attachment portion 12 of the main body portion 1 is configured to be able to attach different types of connector members 2. Thereby, it can respond in each construction site where requirements differ by attaching the required connector member 2 to the attachment part 12 according to each construction site. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connector of the cable 50 connected to the relay device 100 from being exchanged at the construction site or to use a conversion cable for converting the connector shape. The simplification of the handling work can be achieved.

Moreover, in this embodiment, compared with the conventional relay apparatus which molds in the state which connected the cable by attaching the required connector member 2 to the attachment part 12 according to each construction site, in each construction site where requirements differ. The handling work of the cable 50 can be simplified. That is, compared with the case of using a conventional relay device, cable length adjustment and connector attachment (exchange) work can be made less likely to occur at the construction site.

In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 212 a is formed on the first connector 21 that is a female connector, the cylindrical portion 222 a is formed on the second connector 22 that is a male connector, and the third connector 23 that holds the cable 50. The cylindrical portion 23a is formed in the cylindrical portion, and the

cylindrical portions

212a, 222a, and 23a are similarly configured. Thereby, different types of connector members 2 can be easily attached to the attachment portion 12.

In the present embodiment, the first connector claw 12c and the second engagement claw 12d are formed in the mounting portion 12, and the through hole 212c and the first recess 212d are formed in the cylindrical portion 212a. The first connector 21 can be easily attached to the attachment portion 12 by pushing 21 into the attachment portion 12. The same applies to the second connector 22 and the third connector 23.

Moreover, in this embodiment, when the 1st connector 21 is pushed in and attached to the attaching part 12 by forming the taper-like inclined surface 212f in the cylindrical part 212a, the inclined surface 212f of the attaching part 12 is attached. Since the open end side and the seal member 4 can be pressed inward, it is possible to improve waterproofness and dustproofness. The same applies to the second connector 22 and the third connector 23.

-Other embodiments-
In addition, embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It does not become a basis of limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the scope of claims. Further, the technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the main body portion 1 is provided with the five attachment portions 12 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main body portion 201 is not limited to the relay device 200 according to the first modification shown in FIG. It may be formed in a T shape, and three attachment portions may be provided on the main body portion 201. In the relay device 200, three third connectors 23 are attached to the main body unit 201. That is, the number of attachment parts provided in the main body part may be any number.

In the present embodiment, the example in which the third connector 23 holds the cable 50 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the third connector 23 is connected to the cable as in the relay device 300 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 50 may not be held. In the relay device 300, the third connector 23 is attached to the attachment portion 12 in a state where the cable 50 is not inserted into the insertion hole 23 b of the third connector 23. A cylindrical seal member 301 is disposed inside the attachment portion 12. In this way, when the number of cables 50 to be connected is smaller than the number of attachment portions 12 of the relay device 300, the remaining attachment portions 12 are sealed by the third connector 23 and the seal member 301. Can be crushed. That is, since the number of the cables 50 connected to the relay apparatus 300 can be adjusted, it is possible to cope with each construction site having different requirements.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the seal member 4 is set according to the diameter of the cable 50 held by the third connector 23. Thereby, it can respond to the cable 50 from which a diameter differs, ensuring sealing performance.

In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 212a and the connector portion 212b of the housing 212 may be integrally formed, or the cylindrical portion 212a and the connector portion 212b are separately provided, and the cylindrical portion 212a and the connector are provided. The part 212b may be assembled integrally. The same applies to the housing 222.

1, 201 Body 2 Connector member 3

Connection terminal

4, 301 Seal member 12 Mounting portion 12c First engagement claw (engagement portion)
12d 2nd engaging claw (engaging part)
21 1st connector 22 2nd connector 23

3rd connector

23a, 212a, 222a

Cylindrical part

23c, 212c, 222c Through-hole (recessed part)
23d, 212d, 222d First recess (recess)
23f, 212f, 222f Inclined surface 50 Cable 51 Male connector 52

Female connector

100, 200, 300 Relay device

Claims

A relay device for relaying cables for solar power generation,
A main body having a connection terminal disposed therein;
A connector member for connecting a cable to the connection terminal;
A plurality of attachment portions to which the connector member is attached are formed in the main body portion,
The said attaching part is comprised so that attachment of a different kind of said connector member is possible, The relay apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.
The relay device according to claim 1,
The connector member can hold a first connector connectable with a male connector provided on the cable, a second connector connectable with a female connector provided on the cable, and a cable without the connector. A third connector,
Any one of the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector is attached to the attachment portion.
In the relay device according to claim 1 or 2,
The mounting portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has an engaging portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface,
The connector member includes a cylindrical portion that can be fitted to the attachment portion so as to cover an outer peripheral surface of the attachment portion,
A concave portion is formed in the tubular portion of the connector member,
The relay device is configured such that when the connector member is attached to the attachment portion, the engagement portion is engaged with the recess.
The relay device according to claim 3,
The mounting portion is provided with a seal member inside,
An inclined surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion of the connector member,
The relay device, wherein when the connector member is attached to the attachment portion, the attachment portion and the seal member are pressed inward by the inclined surface.