EP0681351B1 - Omnidirectionnal electrical connector with multiphase - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical connector includes the plug (1) which is made up of an outer circular section (7) which is threaded (9) holding circular ring conductors (15,17). The ring conductors have differing diameters within the space for each phase. The socket (13) has annular rings (16) to connect to the plug, housed in an outer holder. The ring inner has embedded multiple contacts traversing the ring. The rear of each ring is connected (43) to a cable. Each of the three rings connects to a phase in this way. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a connector omnidirectional electric multi-phase forming an electrical junction between electrical cables of power distribution or between a cabinet distribution and a power cable such a connector is described, for example, in document GB-A-739514.

In many industrial sectors, and in particularly in the mining sector, certain machines electric, such as a shearer, are powered by three-phase electric current under a voltage which can vary between 1,000 and 12,000 Volts and whose intensity can reach or even exceed, 500 Amps. The power cable electric used for such applications includes the active conductors corresponding to the phases of the electric power supply. He understands also often a plurality of conductors electrical service and safety auxiliaries useful for powering devices annexes, for example lighting. The electric cable supply, with a conventional length of 50 meters, has an outer diameter often greater than 60 millimeters and a linear mass of the order of several kilograms per meter.

The large mass of the electric cable supply and the rigidity of the conductors large section copper always make it laborious the operations of connection by connector of a industrial power supply line.

Indeed, the only electrical connectors known to date for carrying out the operations of power connections are all indexed to position, that is, it is necessary for the connection to make two marks coincide.

However, the proper presentation of the sheet allowing its introduction into this type of connector requires swivel movements on both sides and other of its longitudinal axis of symmetry and adjustment movements made difficult by mass high cable and its torsional strength.

These difficulties can be such in the mining field as the combined efforts of three operators are often required to achieve properly present the plug of a connector electric with position indexing in relation to the base or the other connecting piece.

The other major drawback of connectors position indexing is the fact that the coupling parts once inserted one in the other are immobile one with respect to the other. Indeed, after coupling the plug to its base and during machine operation powered by the cable, it often happens that this one twists. He then exercises on the elements of connector for mechanical torsional stresses high which the connector cannot escape, stresses which can damage it and lead to its destruction.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy these major drawbacks by proposing a connector omnidirectional electric multi-phase forming an electrical junction for electrical cables of power distribution, without position indexing between the two component parts of the junction. According to the invention, the front face of the plug can be arranged opposite the front face of the base or from the other connector junction piece and inserted in this base or this junction piece in the same movement, regardless of the relative position of said plug with respect to the other junction piece. According to a new result, the connection of a machine industrial electric, for example a cutter for coal mines, to a supply circuit electric, for example three-phase, by means of a cable power and electrical connector omnidirectional according to the invention is found greatly facilitated. In particular, it is no longer necessary to print movements of the pivoting left or right according to its axis of symmetry longitudinal, to bring it into a position predetermined in relation to the base or the other part connector junction, prior to its connection. This avoids having to twist the cable electric power distribution, operation made extremely difficult by its mass and especially its rigidity, allowing a single operator to connect a machine without any special effort industrial electric power to a circuit power supply or two electrical cables from power distribution arranged in the extension axial of each other.

According to another essential characteristic of the present invention, the connector plug omnidirectional electric is, once introduced, free to pivot relative to the connector base feed. The twisting of the electric cable of power distribution caused by mechanical stresses of the powered machine has as a consequence that the relative pivoting of the two components of the connector, without consequence none on the electrical or mechanical qualities of the junction.

According to an additional characteristic of the present invention, there is also provided a electric cable mooring device power distribution intended to prevent a mechanical traction exerted on the cable is not transmits to the internal connections of the connector omnidirectional electric.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective longitudinale dite en éclaté représentant la succession des pièces principales intérieures composant une fiche du connecteur électrique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue identique à celle de la figure 1 représentant les éléments dissociés de la partie de la figure 1 repérée par un segment de trait horizontal;
• la figure 3 est une coupe longitudinale du connecteur selon l'invention, selon son axe de symétrie longitudinale ;
• la figure 4 est une vue identique à celle de la figure 1 représentant les pièces constituant l'enveloppe extérieure du corps de la fiche ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de l'extrémité de la fiche du connecteur selon l'invention avec arraché partiel permettant de voir la disposition intérieure ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective à l'état dissocié d'un anneau porte-contacts et son bracelet à lames-contacts ;
• la figure 7 est une vue composite en plan d'une portion linéaire posée à plat d'un des bracelets réalisant le contact électrique et sa coupe transversale au niveau d'une lame-contact.

The technical characteristics and other advantages of the invention will appear better in the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example on an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a longitudinal perspective view in exploded view showing the succession of main internal parts making up a plug of the electrical connector according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view identical to that of Figure 1 showing the dissociated elements of the part of Figure 1 identified by a horizontal line segment;
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the connector according to the invention, along its axis of longitudinal symmetry;
• Figure 4 is a view identical to that of Figure 1 showing the parts constituting the outer casing of the body of the plug;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the end of the connector plug according to the invention with partial cutaway to see the interior arrangement;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view in the dissociated state of a contact carrier ring and its contact blade bracelet;
• FIG. 7 is a composite plan view of a linear portion placed flat on one of the bracelets making the electrical contact and its cross section at the level of a contact blade.

The omnidirectional electrical connector according to the invention is intended to allow the connection between an electrical distribution cable and a power cable or between a distribution box and a power cable, said cable comprising, in addition to active conductors for supply currents, conductors auxiliaries for electrical safety signals and service, for example for monitoring, control or supply of ancillary devices, lighting or other.

The connector according to the invention breaks down in two sets, or complementary pieces of junction hereinafter called the "plug" and the "base". Each of these two sets has a number of identical or similar component parts.

The connector according to the invention consists of generally two junction pieces 1 and 2 by example a base 1 as shown in Figure 1 and file 2. These two complementary pieces constitute in the joined state the electrical junction between a power cable and a distribution box or between two cables.

The base 1 has a metal body cylindrical 3 mounted on a support envelope 4, using a fixing device 5 such as a flange fixing, for example square with flat reach or other. This includes holes for the passage fastening elements 6 such as screws or studs with nuts or others which allow the immobilization of the body 3 of the base 1 on the support envelope 4.

On either side of the fixing device 5 on the support envelope 4, the body 3 of the base 1 forms two front tubular cylindrical projections 7 and rear 8. The front tubular projection 7 bears on its outer periphery a thread 9 provided for the mounting a threaded assembly sleeve 10 allowing the mechanical assembly of the body 3 of the base 1 with sheet 2 (Figures 3 and 4).

The internal volume of the cylindrical projection tubular front 7 contains a tubular hollow body insulating contact holder interior 12 intended to come fit into an inner tubular hollow body homologous contact carrier insulator 11 enclosed in a envelope 13 of sheet 2.

Each of the inner tubular hollow bodies contact carrier 11 and 12 is identically shaped by the radial succession of tubular partitions coaxial cylindrical, for example two in number, respectively interior 14 and 15 of plug and socket and exterior 16 and 17 of plug and socket, delimiting between them cylindrical cavities 18 and 19 of plug and plinth. This succession ends in the center, for the plug, by a cylindrical central well 20 used for additional contacts and for the base, for a receiving sleeve 21.

The inner and outer walls of the inner tubular partition 14 of plug 2 are each provided with an inner conductive ring 22 and of an outer conductive ring 23 while its external partition 16 has only one ring inner conductor 24 on its inner wall.

The inner and outer walls of the outer tubular partition 17 of the base are lined each of an inner conductor ring 25 and a outer conductor ring 26 while its partition interior 15 has only one conductive ring outer 27 on its outer wall.

Tubular partitions carry the rings conductors for example inlay, that is to say each embedded in a groove existing in the wall corresponding side. For racing reasons the grooves are located at a distance sufficient of the common front of the partitions tubular.

The number of tubular partitions depends on the number of phases of the supply current. For a three-phase current, the number of partitions is equal to two for both base 1 and plug 2.

As will be seen below, the rings conductors of plug 2 are each connected to the end of one of the power conductors such as 28, 29 and 30 of a power cable 31. It is even for base 1 with only one conductor power 32 is visible in Figure 3.

Each inner tubular hollow body insulator 11 or 12 of plug 2 or of base 1 present on its rear end three access lights such as 33, 34 and 35 regularly spaced around the perimeter rear exterior and delimited by three sections 36, 37 and 38 for access to connection terminals 39, 40 and 41 of the conductive rings with the conductors of power 28, 29 and 30 of the power cable 31. A this effect, as can be seen in the figures and more particularly in FIG. 6, each of the connection terminals is formed by a clamp attachment such as 42, 43 or 44 constituting the end a lateral extension such as 45, 46 or 47 that each has conductive rings. Fixation of the ends of the power conductors 28, 29 and 30 at connection terminals 39, 40 and 41 is carried out conventionally by means of screw-nut assemblies such than 48, 49 or 50.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the conductive rings 22, 23 and 24 of plug 2 are angularly offset between them by a sufficient value to allow proper individualization of conductors 28, 29 and 30 and terminals 39, 40 and 41 as well as a certain ease in the assembly of connection.

It is the same for the rings conductors 25, 26 and 27 of the base 1 despite the non representation of this configuration in the figures.

Regarding the insulating tubular hollow body 11 of sheet 2, some conductive rings have a groove on their inner face while others are full and with smooth side faces. AT as an example, with particular reference to Figure 3, only the conductive ring 23 disposed on the outer wall of the inner tubular partition 14 is full and smooth. The other two conductive rings 22 and 24 have in their inner side face a peripheral groove 51 and 52. Additionally, the conductive ring 26 of the base 1 present on its face lateral interior a peripheral groove 53.

Regarding the insulating tubular hollow body 12 of base 1, some rings have the same like a peripheral groove on their inner face, while others are full and with side faces smooth. For example, on the realization shown, only the inner ring 26 of the partition outer 17 has such a groove. The work-study program is inverse to that existing on sheet 2 so to establish a contact between the plug 2 and the base 1 electrical junction between the conductive rings by the interposition of an intermediate contact piece housed in these gorges. So there is a opposite correspondence between the solid rings and throat rings.

Of course, the existing peripheral groove in the inner side of the rings can as well be moved on the outside of the rings concerned.

The actual electrical contact is obtained by an intermediate contact piece 54, by example of the multi-contact type, establishing the connection electric between two corresponding rings of the two complementary junction pieces base 1 and plug 2 when they are nested.

This intermediate contact piece 54, of generally annular shape, is housed recessed in the peripheral grooves of the conducting rings.

We will now examine a form of particular realization of this intermediate piece multi-contacts 54 with reference to composite figure 7.

According to the preferred embodiment, each multi-contact intermediate piece 54 affects the shape of a metal bracelet with contact blades 55 individualized and slightly rounded. This piece is formed, for example, from and in a strip of metal perforated flat with transverse slots 56 uniformly distributed throughout the circular periphery. The width of these slots 56 is less than the width of the strip so that two successive slots 56 delimit between them a metal interval. The band is slightly curved to make them stand out curved or arched during the shaping the bracelet and providing a spring to these bridges of material intended to constitute omnidirectional distribution of contact blades 55 electrical that will come into mechanical contact bearing on the smooth side face opposite each matching conductor ring.

According to the invention, these characteristics allow to confer at the junction elementary electric of each phase a character omnidirectional. All of these characteristics associated in the manner described above constitute the omnidirectional multi-phase connector totally original according to the invention.

The ground braids 57 arranged around the conductors and under the sheath of the cable 31 are assembled and connected to a ground terminal 58 integrated into a metal ring 59 mounted in the bottom of the body 3 of the base 1 and in that of the plug 2. The electrical connection is established between this ring 59 and the corresponding side wall of the base 1 or of the sheet 2.

The continuity of the ground connection between the base 1 and the plug 2 is obtained by the socket assembly 10 and by means of a metal bracelet 60 inserted into a peripheral groove made on the inner side surface of the front projection 7 of the body 3 of base 1.

In addition, a metal ring referenced also 59 of the base 1 keeps the body inside tubular 12 of the base 1 in abutment against a shoulder internal.

Service or safety drivers said auxiliaries 61 are individually connected to inside the body of plug 2 to rings superimposed 62 mounted in succession with interposition insulating rings 63 on a central pin 64 disposed in the central well 20 of the hollow body inner tubular 11 of sheet 2. The end of this pin 64 forms an additional contact for a driver of a pilot circuit.

The number of conductors 61 and therefore of auxiliary circuits depends only on the length of the brooch.

The central spindle 64 is fitted into the sleeve 21 provided in the central part of the body 3 of the base 1. On the lateral surface of this sleeve 21 are provided with contact rings separated by rings insulators corresponding to rings 62 and 63 respectively of pin 64 for the establishment of transverse electrical connections supplemented by the end link through the end contacts.

We understand that this provision allows offer a large number of auxiliary contacts and therefore service and safety circuits.

The power cable 31 is held in position by a multi-jaw mooring mandrel 65 66 shown in FIG. 1.

As already indicated, the mooring mandrel 65 is provided to prevent mechanical traction being exerted on the electric power distribution cable 31 is transmitted to connection terminals 39, 40 and 41 inside of sheet 2.

The body of sheet 2 contains in its lower end a sealing device end 67 of the cable gland type shown in following the mooring mandrel 65, on the side of the jaws 66 on the section view. This device 67 consists of a sealing ring 68 of deformable material 69 taken sandwiched between two pressure washers, one end washer 70 and a support washer 71. On the support washer 71 comes to wear a ring of force transmission 72 stressed in axial thrust by a closing nut 73 mounted at the end of the body 3 of sheet 2. All of these parts constitutes the end sealing device 67 of the cable gland type providing sealing and insulation adapted to the external environment of the connector.

In Figure 4, there is shown the socket threaded assembly 10 which connects mechanically the body of the plug 2 to the body 3 of the plinth 1. The inner surface of the end of the threaded assembly sleeve 10 located on the body side 3 of the base 1 has a thread provided for its engagement on the threaded part of the projection cylindrical front 7 of the body 3 of the base 1. The socket assembly thread 10 is immobilized in rotation by the elastic pressure force of a metal rod 74 mounted in a groove on the projection 7. In addition, the socket 10 has through holes such as 75 intended for the introduction of nipple screws such as 76 and access to them to ensure blocking in pivoting of the assembly.

Mooring mandrel 65, including the front rear comes into abutment against the end of the body inner tubular 11 of plug 2, is itself covered by a cap 77 having a profile interior with conical ramp 78 constituted for example of a succession of cylindrical segments and frusto-conical alternately arranged.

The peripheral end flange formed by the lateral succession of the ends of the jaws 66 of the mooring mandrel 65 has a general shape tapered. Jaws 66 are constrained in clamping concentric around the cable 31 by the play of the movement axial advance of the conical ramp 78 of the cover 77 against the end of the jaws. The clamping of the jaws 66 of the mooring mandrel 65 on the outer sheath of the cable 31 will be obtained by screwing the cap 77 onto the thread of the assembly sleeve which causes the complete immobilization of the cable 31 in order to avoid the transmission to connection terminals 39, 40 and 41 a mechanical stress which he can do the object. On the other hand, pivoting movements left or right of connector plug 2 by relative to the base 1 or to the other junction piece are possible. The twist of the power cable 31 under the effect, for example, of machine vibrations powered, only results in the relative pivoting of the two elements making up the connector, without any effect on qualities mechanical or electrical of the junction.

The end seal 67 of the cable gland type is introduced into a threaded neck 79 delimited by the rear interior volume of the cap 77 and closed by nut 73 mounted on the neck thread 79 of the cap 77 in order to compress all of the parts forming the cable gland against the profile interior with internal 78 conical ramp (Figure 3) of the neck threaded 79 of the cap 77.

Limiting nesting penetration and the coincidence between the contacts specific to the same phase are brought by abutment shoulders existing as well on the outer shell of the sheet 2 only on the bottom of the inner side face of the front projection 7 constituting the entry of the base 1.

Contact carrier tubular hollow bodies 11 and 12 are blocked in longitudinal translation by appropriate housing bottom shoulders and maintained thus in abutment to allow axial movements nesting and dislodging during use of the connector.

As already indicated, according to a result essential of the invention, the coaxial rings conductors of plug 2 and socket 1 or the other junction piece ensuring electrical contact on their entire periphery, it is possible to present the front of sheet 2 without worrying about its relative position in relation to the front face of the base 1 or the other junction piece and fit together in the same movement the tubular hollow body 11 of the plug 2 in the tubular hollow body 12 of the base 1 or the other connecting piece.

Finally, note that the cap 77 is connected to the body of plug 2 by screwing on the external surface rear of the body of plug 2. It is stopped in abutment against a shoulder 80 formed on the surface outside of the body of plug 2 and its self-loosening is condemned by three grub screws to nipples 76 arranged radially around the cap 77 and whose nipples enter a circular groove 81 machined on the external periphery of the body of the sheet 2.

It will also be noted that two pins 82 of immobilization in pivoting of the mooring mandrel 65 are inserted into passages of the body of the sheet 2.

Claims (10)

1. Electrical connector forming an electrical joint for a plurality of phases between electrical energy distribution cables or between a distribution box and a supply cable (31), consisting of two joining pieces (1,2) which fit one into the other, each consisting of a hollow insulating body (11,12), contact holders, and at least two coaxial conductor rings (22,27), each of which is connected to one of the phases, each conductor ring (22-24) having a lateral extension (45-47) which acts as a connection terminal (39-41) for the end of a power conductor of the cable (31), the said cable (31) being immobilised by an anchorage chuck (65) which is forced in the clamping position against the cable (31) by the play of a conical ramp (78) which is thrust along the chuck (65) by the axial assembly force, characterised in that each hollow, insulating contact-holder body (11,12) consists of coaxial alternation of tubular cylindrical partitions (14-17) which are separated by cylindrical cavities (18,19), and on the inner and outer walls of which the conductor rings (22-24) are disposed, in that for two rings which are opposite one another, one supports an intermediate contact piece (54), each conductor ring (22,24,26) being required to come into electrical contact with a corresponding ring (23,25,27) which is brought near, then is positioned opposite, when the two joining pieces (1,2) are inserted one in the other, such that the intermediate piece between two rings which correspond to a single phase is the contact piece (54), and in that the earthing braids (57) which are disposed around each of the conductors (28-30) of the cable (31) and beneath its sheath, are connected in the joining pieces (1,2) to a metal ring (59), and are reconnected electrically then conveyed to the lateral wall of the body of the joining pieces (1,2).
2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterised in that each joining piece (1,2) has an identical general composition.
3. Electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the conductor rings (22,23,24,25,26,27) are inserted in a groove provided in the inner and outer walls of the tubular cylindrical partitions (14,15,16,17).
4. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ring (22,24,26) which supports the intermediate contact piece (54) has a peripheral groove (51,52,53) in which the intermediate contact piece (54) is inserted.
5. Electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 4, characterised in that the intermediate contact piece (54) is annular and of the multi-contact type.
6. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each annular contact piece (54) is a metal band which is accommodated in the peripheral groove (51,52,53) of some rings (22,24,26), which has on its outer periphery transverse projections which form electrical contact strips (55) which are rendered convex towards the exterior, and are separated by a succession of transverse slots (56) which delimit contact strips (55) between one another.
7. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rings (22,24,26) with a peripheral groove (51,52,53) which are provided with a band (54), are disposed opposite rings (23,25,27) without a peripheral groove, which are supported by the tubular body of the complementary joining piece, when the two complementary joining pieces (1,2) are assembled.
8. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the peripheral grooves (51, 52, 53) of the rings (22,24,26) are inner peripheral grooves.
9. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the peripheral grooves (51,52,53) of the rings (22,24,26) are outer peripheral grooves.
10. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central part of the inner cylindrical partition (14) of the plug (2) is occupied by a cylindrical pin (64) with a plurality of annular contacts (62) which are separated by insulating annular areas (63), the said pin (64) cooperating with the cylindrical receiver sleeve (21) which has the same alternation of annular contacts as the complementary joining piece, in order, after pressing on has taken place, to permit connection of the conductors (61) corresponding to service and safety circuits.

Images