EP2997626B1

EP2997626B1 - Multi-cable socket connector

Info

Publication number: EP2997626B1
Application number: EP14885063.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shengjun ZOU; Degeng LV
Original assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Current assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Priority date: 2014-07-31
Filing date: 2014-07-31
Publication date: 2019-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-31
Also published as: CN104981950A; EP2997626A4; EP2997626A1; CN104981950B; PL2997626T3; WO2016015280A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a multi-cable socket connector, and more particularly relate to a multi-cable socket connector for connecting cables of a multi-cable to a terminal of a switch or other device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical connectors are well known in the prior art. But when transmitting a high current, one cable for each phase is not enough and the requirement of designing the specific connector is raised. For example, at an ambient temperature of 55°C, current-carrying capacity of 1x70 mm² cable is 245A, current-carrying capacity of 2x70 mm² cables is up to 400A and the current-carrying capacity of 3x70 mm² cables is up to 630A. Therefore, multi-cable should be used to transmit a high current. Furthermore, the actually carry current also depends on a lot of other factors, such as the kind of device, the assembly room and the ambient temperature, and so on. How to connect multi-cable to a terminal of a switch or other devices is among the major design requirements of high current transmitting cable connector.
The existing solutions of the multi-cable connector assembly are shown in Figs. 1A-1D. Two traditional connectors have several cables clamped together. However, these solutions are involved in a lot of drawbacks. In general, firstly, the connector has a low adaptability because the room to house different number of cables is different and the diameter of the connector has a fix value, so one connector can just be available for fixed number of cables. Secondly, thermal overheat problem is found occasionally because of clamping quality.
Two existing solutions of the multi-cable connector assembly are shown in Figs.1A-1D. One is for 2x70 mm² cables solution, as shown in Fig.1A. The 2x70 mm² socket connector assembly mainly contains the following parts: 2x70 mm² socket connector 160 and 2x70 mm² bushing 170. The first conductive part 162 of the conducting portion 160 has a hole 164, which is used for contacting the front cable core 149 of cable 142 when mounting. Next step, a crimping tool can be used to crimp the first conductive part 162 and two cable cores 149, so that they can be a whole. Next step is to insert the 2x70 mm² socket connector 160 with two cables 142 into the bushing 170. The concaves 172 of the bushing 170 can limit concaves 161 of the socket connector 160. At last, after mounting a washer 151 and a screw 152, the connector can be fastened to a terminal 150 of a device. The other example is for 3x70 mm² cables assembly solution, as shown in Figs.1C. The mounting steps are similar to the 2x70 mm² cables assembly solution.
As shown in Fig.1B and Fig.1D, for the above-mentioned existing 2x70 mm² and 3x70 mm² cable solutions, there are several disadvantages. Firstly, because the cable is single core stranded wire, when insert two or three cables into the socket connector 160 or 180, sometime there are several pieces of thread 148 left outside of the socket connector. It is not easy to control manually. Secondly, it is not easy to crimp connector 160 or 180 and two or three single core cables 149. The special crimp tool is often needed for crimping. Thirdly, there will be two or three gaps 164 exist between the socket connector 160 and the cable cores 149. Cable cores cannot fully contact the inner surface of connector. It will influence the carry current and the temperature will rise. Fourthly, the cables can subtly swing when mounting and transporting. Fifthly, it is no convenient to change the cable number for these two traditional solutions.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art to develop an improved a multi-cable socket connector to connect multi-cable to a terminal of a switch or other devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a new solution for a multi-cable socket connector, so as to solve or at least partially mitigate at least a part of problems in the prior art, and to improve usability, security and reliability.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-cable socket connector for connecting cables of a multi-cable to a terminal of a device. The connector comprises: a conducting portion, which comprises a first conductive part and a second conductive part; the first conductive part, configured to have a plurality of holes, which are electrically connected to a plurality of mating terminals of the cables, each mating terminal of each cable respectively passing through the corresponding hole; the second conductive part, configured to electrically connect to the terminal of the device; a mounting assembly, configured to house and fix the conducting portion and the mating terminals of the cables, which comprises a cover and a bushing; the cover, having a cover part and a fixing part, the cover part being configured to cover the bushing, the fixing part being in close contact with the mating terminals of the cables; the bushing, configured to receive and retain the first conductive part and the second conductive part respectively. The mounting assembly further includes a plurality of first mounting screws, each first mounting screw being configured to fasten the mating terminal of the cable to the first conductive part of the conducting portion after the terminal of the cable has passed through the hole.
According to the present invention, the fixing part of the cover further has a peelable part, which is connected to the other part of the fixing part of the cover with thin slots, the peelable part being easy to be peeled manually, for keeping close contact with different number of the mating terminals of the cables.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first conductive part of the conducting portion further has at least one protruded limiting portion, configured to keep the cables immovable when connecting and increase the contact area.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first conductive part of the conducting portion has two or more said protruded limiting portions to closely contact to concaves of the mating terminals of the cables.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting assembly further comprises a plurality of first mounting washers and the same amount of first mounting screws, each first mounting washer and the corresponding first mounting screw being configured to fasten the mating terminal of the cable to the first conductive part of the conducting portion after the terminal of the cable pass through the respective hole.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting assembly further comprises at least one second mounting washer and the same amount of second mounting screw, to fasten the connector to the terminal of the device.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bushing further has a plurality of fins, which are configured to keep close contact with a limiting hole of the device plate when mounting, and available for avoiding the rotation of the connector.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bushing has four said fins, configured to closely contact with rectangular said limiting hole of the device plate when mounting the connector in said device.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover part of the cover further has at least one front hook and at least one rear hook, and the bushing further has at least one front protruding part and at least one rear protruding part, each hook respectively hooking the corresponding protruding part.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover part of the cover further has two or more said front hooks and two or more said rear hooks.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the cables is two, three, four or more.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector is suitable for 35mm², 50mm² or 70mm² cable.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conducting portion is made of copper, tin, copper-tin alloy, silver, gold, steel or aluminum.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is a switch, a low voltage cable distribution panel or an outgoing feeder.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multi-cable is configured to transmit high current.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high current is no less than 200A.
Compared with the existing prior arts, the solution for a multi-cable socket connector according to the present claims can achieve several advantages as below.
Firstly, by providing this socket connector, it is flexible to deal with various multi-cable solutions. The connector can be used for connecting multi-cable to one terminal of different switches, distribution panels or outgoing feeder cubicles if necessary. Besides, the connector is available for different number of cables.
Secondly, by providing this socket connector, it is easy for installation and maintenance when changing quantity of cable or overhauling cable.
Thirdly, by providing this socket connector, it is helpful to provide the arc free zone design, which means working without the need of implementation of an arc mitigation device when there is an internal arcing. The multi-cable socket connector can work normally after the internal fault disappears.
Fourthly, by providing this socket connector, it is helpful to achieve IP20 touch protection. For IP20 touch protection, it is a mark showing touch protection degree, which is well-known by the person skilled in the art. The first numeral refers to the degree of protection against access to hazardous parts indicated. For example: numeral 2 means protected against access to hazardous parts with a finger. The joined test finger of 12 mm diameter, 80mm length, shall have adequate clearance form hazardous parts. The secondary numeral refers to the degree of protection against water indicated. For example: numeral 0 means non-protected for against ingress of water with harmful effects.
Fifthly, by providing this socket connector, it is easy to solve the thermal overheat problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent through detailed explanation on the embodiments as illustrated in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference numbers represent same or similar components and wherein:

Figs. 1A-1D show two conventional multi-cable connectors; Figs. 1A-1B show an example of two cables connector according to prior art; Figs. 1C-1D show an example of three cables connector according to prior art;
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a multi-cable socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of the cover of two cables socket connector with a peelable part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of the peelable part of the cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig.5 schematically illustrates an example of the cover of three cables socket connector without a peelable part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an example of mounting two cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 7 schematically illustrates Step 1 of mounting two cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 8 schematically illustrates Step 2 of mounting two cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 9 schematically illustrates Step 3 of mounting two cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 10 schematically illustrates Step 4 of mounting two cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 11 schematically illustrates Step 5 of mounting two cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 12 schematically illustrates an example of mounting three cables socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 13 schematically illustrates an example of a multi-cable socket connector connected with a OS630/800 withdrawer module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 14 schematically illustrates an example of mounting a multi-cable socket connector to a OS630/800 withdrawer module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 15 schematically illustrates an example of the maintenance of a multi-cable socket connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 16 illustrates an example of the maintenance of a multi-cable socket connector in details according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, solutions as provided the present disclosure will be described in details through embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that these embodiments are presented only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the present disclosure, not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any manner.
Next, reference will be made to Fig. 2 to describe an example of the multi-cable socket connector for connecting multi-cable 42 to a terminal 50 of a device in which the first embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented. The device can be a switch. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the connector comprises a conducting portion 20 and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly comprises a cover 10 and a bushing 30. The multi-cable socket connects multi-cables so that it can carry heavy current. It can extend to connect more cables by designing the conducting portion 20 with more holes. And it can be applied to other fields, such as a low voltage cable distribution panel or an outgoing feeder cubicle, etc.
For example, the conducting portion 20 is made of copper. It can also be made of tin, copper-tin alloy, silver, gold, steel or aluminum or other metal upon request.
In addition, the multi-cable socket connector can further provide a function that supports different number of cables. As illustrated in Figs. 3-5, the cover 10 has a peelable part 11, which is connected to the other part of the fixing part of the cover 10 with thin slots 14, 15. The peelable part is easy to be peeled manually, so it can keep close contact with different number of the mating terminals 40 of the cables 42. For example, with the peelable part 11, the cover is suitable for 2x70 mm2 cables solution as shown in Fig.3. Without the peelable part 11, the cover is suitable for 3x70mm2 cables solutions as shown in Fig.5. The number of the cables can also be four or more.
Additionally, the multi-cable is available to transmit a high current, for example, no less than 200A.
A preferred example of two cables socket connector is shown in Fig. 6. The conducting portion 20 comprises a first conductive part 23 and a second conductive part 24. The first conductive part 23 has a plurality of holes 25. The holes are electrically connected to a plurality of mating terminals 40 of the cables 42. Each mating terminal 40 respectively passes through the corresponding hole 25. The second conductive part 24 electrically connects to the terminal of the device. The mounting assembly comprises a cover 10 and a bushing 30. The mounting assembly is used to house and fix the conducting portion 20 and the mating terminals 40 of the cables 42. The cover 10 has a cover part and a fixing part. The cover part covers the bushing, and the fixing part is in close contact with the mating terminals 40 of the cables. The bushing 30 is used to receive and retain the first conductive part 23 and the second conductive part 24 respectively.
Hereinafter, to make the skilled in the art to understand the solution as provided in the present disclosure completely and thoroughly, reference will be made to Figs. 7 to 11 to explain how to mount two cables socket connector as provided in embodiments of the present disclosure.
Step 1 is shown in Fig. 7. The first conductive part 23 of the conducting portion 20 has two protruded limiting portions 21, 22, to keep the cables 42 immovable when connecting and increase the contact area. Especially, the protruded limiting portions 21, 22 can closely contact to concaves 41 of the mating terminals 40 of the cables 42. So it can avoid the cables to bend or swing.
In addition, the multi-cable socket connector is suitable for 35mm², 50mm² or 70mm² cables. For changing the size of the cable, a person just need to change the socket connector 40, to keep the concaves 41 the same size as the cable, so that it can match the protruded limiting portions 21, 22 of the conducting portion 20.
Step 2 is shown in Fig. 8. The mounting assembly comprises two first mounting washers 43 and two first mounting screws 44. Each first mounting washer 43 and the corresponding first mounting screw 44 can fasten the mating terminal 40 of the cable 42 to the first conductive part 23 of the conducting portion 20 after the terminal 40 of the cable 42 pass through the hole 25. So it is reliable and convenient to fasten cables to the conducting portion 20.
Step 3 is shown in Fig. 9. The lower part of the bushing 30 is used to receive and retain the second conductive part 24. So the conducting portion 20 is inserted into the bushing 30.
Step 4 is shown in Fig. 10. The mounting assembly comprises a second mounting washer 51 and a second mounting screw 52. So the connector can be fastened to the terminal 50 of the device.
Step 5 is shown in Fig. 11. The cover part of the cover 10 has two front hooks 12 and two rear hooks 13, and the bushing 30 also has two front protruding parts 31 and two rear protruding parts 32. Each hook respectively hooks the corresponding protruding part when mounting.
By providing this socket connector, as each mating terminal respectively passes through the corresponding hole, it improves usability, security and reliability of the multi-cable connector. It is easy for installation and maintenance when changing quantity of cable or overhauling cable. Also, it is easy to solve the thermal overheat problem.
A preferred example of three cables socket connector is shown in Fig. 12. The conducting portion 20 comprises a first conductive part 23 and a second conductive part 24. The first conductive part 23 has a plurality of holes 25. The holes are electrically connected to a plurality of mating terminals 40 of the cables 42. Each mating terminal 40 respectively passes through the corresponding hole 25. The second conductive part 24 electrically connects to the terminal of the device. The mounting assembly comprises a cover 10 and a bushing 30. The mounting assembly is used to house and fix the conducting portion 20 and the mating terminals 40 of the cables 42. The cover 10 has a cover part and a fixing part. The cover part covers the bushing, and the fixing part is in close contact with the mating terminals 40 of the cables. The bushing 30 is used to receive and retain the first conductive part 23 and the second conductive part 24 respectively.
The steps to mount three cables socket connector are similar to two cables socket connector, except adding one additional step to peel the peelable part 11 manually to adapt to three cables.
In addition, the multi-cable socket connector is available for different number of cables. It is not only suitable for two or three cables, but also available for four or more cables.
Hereinafter, to make the skilled in the art to understand the solution as provided in the present disclosure completely and thoroughly, reference will be made to Figs. 13 to 16 to explain the installation and maintenance of a multi-cable socket connector with a device as provided in embodiments of the present disclosure.
As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the bushing 30 has a plurality of fins 33. The fins 33 can keep close contact with a limiting hole 61 of the device plate 60 when mounting, to avoid the rotation of the connector. For example, the bushing 30 has four fins 33 to closely contact with rectangular limiting hole 61 when mounting. The mounting assembly comprises a second mounting washer 51 and a second mounting screw 52. So the multi-cable socket connector can be fastened to the terminal 50 of the device.
In addition, OS630/800 is only to be interpreted openly as referring to one instance of the device. The multi-cable socket connector is also suitable for T5, T6, OS250, OS400 withdrawer solutions.
As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, by pressing hooks 12, 14, the cover 10 of the multi-cable socket connector can be opened. It is easy to operate, so it is easy for installation and maintenance when changing quantity of cable or overhauling cable.

Claims

A multi-cable socket connector for connecting cables (42) of a multi-cable to a terminal (50) of a device, the connector comprises:
a conducting portion (20), which comprises a first conductive part (23) and a second conductive part (24);

wherein the first conductive part (23) has a plurality of holes (25), which are electrically connected to a plurality of mating terminals (40) of the cables (42), each mating terminal (40) of each cable (42) respectively passing through the corresponding hole (25);

wherein the second conductive part (24) is electrically connected to the terminal of the device;

a mounting assembly, which houses and fixes the conducting portion (20) and the mating terminals (40) of the cables (42), said mounting assembly comprising a cover (10) and a bushing (30);

wherein the cover (10) has a cover part and a fixing part, the cover part covering the bushing (30), and the fixing part being in close contact with the mating terminals (40) of the cables (42);

wherein the bushing (30) receives and retains the first conductive part (23) and the second conductive part (24) respectively;

characterized in that

the mounting assembly further comprises a plurality of first mounting screws (44), each first mounting screw (44) fastening the mating terminal (40) of the corresponding cable (42) to the first conductive part (23) of the conducting portion (20) after said terminal (40) of said cable (42) has passed through the corresponding hole (25);

wherein the fixing part of the cover (10) further has a peelable part (11), which is connected to the other part of the fixing part of the cover (10) with thin slots (14, 15), the peelable part being easy to be peeled manually, for keeping close contact with different number of the mating terminals (40) of the cables (42).
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive part (23) of the conducting portion (20) further has at least two protruded limiting portions (21, 22), configured to keep the cables (42) immovable when connecting.
The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first conductive part (23) of the conducting portion (20) has two or more said protruded limiting portions (21, 22) to closely contact to concaves (41) of the mating terminals (40) of the cables (42).
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a plurality of first mounting washers (43) in the same amount of first mounting screws (44), each first mounting washer (43) and the corresponding first mounting screw (44) being configured to fasten the mating terminal (40) of the cable (42) to the first conductive part (23) of the conducting portion (20) after the terminal (40) of the cable (42) has passed through the respective hole (25).
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises at least one second mounting washer (51) and the same amount of second mounting screw (52), to fasten the connector to the terminal (50) of the device.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the bushing (30) further has a plurality of fins (33), which are configured to keep close contact with a limiting hole (61) of the device plate (60) when mounting, and available for avoiding the rotation of the connector.
The connector according to claim 6, wherein the bushing (30) has four said fins (33) configured to closely contact with rectangular said limiting hole (61) of the device plate (60), when mounting the connector in said device.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover part of the cover (10) further has at least one front hook (12) and at least one rear hook (13), and the bushing (30) further has at least one front protruding part (31) and at least one rear protruding part (32), each hook (12, 13) respectively hooking the corresponding protruding part (31, 32).
The connector according to claim 8, wherein the cover part of the cover (10) further has two or more said front hooks (12) and two or more said rear hooks (13).
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the number of the cables is two, three, four or more.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is suitable for 35 mm², 50 mm² or 70 mm² cable.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the conducting portion (20) is made of copper, tin, copper-tin alloy, silver, gold, steel or aluminum.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the device is a switch, a low voltage cable distribution panel or an outgoing feeder.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the multi-cable is configured to transmit high current.
The connector according to claim 14, wherein the high current is no less than 200A.