Cable connection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a cable connection device that is easy to use in railway vehicles and easy to ensure mechanical strength. The device comprises: a central conductor (30) having conductivity; a structure (20) formed of an insulating material and covering the periphery of the central conductor (30); a shell (10) formed of a material having higher strength than the material forming the structure (20) and covering the periphery of the structure (20); first terminal portions (21A, 21B) formed in a concave shape in the shell (10) and the structure (20), the central conductor (30) being exposed on the inner surface of the concave shape in a manner that allows electrical conduction with first connecting portions (51A, 51B); and a second terminal portion (22) formed in a portion of the structure (20) protruding from the shell (10), the central conductor (30) being exposed at the end of the protruding portion in a manner that allows electrical conduction with a second connecting portion, and a second fixing portion (31) for fixing the second connecting portion being provided on the exposed surface of the central conductor (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cable connecting device suitable for railway vehicles. Background Art

[0002] There is known a trunk cable that is laid through each floor of a high-rise building to supply power to each floor and has a branch connection portion that branches to each floor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-244715 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Meanwhile, railway vehicles also use cables that distribute electricity collected by current collectors to various locations on the vehicle. When laying railway cables on a railway vehicle, intermediate connectors are used to connect the cables to each other, and terminal connectors are used to connect the cables to other equipment as needed.

[0008] In addition, in the following text, when the intermediate connection part and the terminal connection part are not distinguished, they are simply described as the connection part. Moreover, the connection part is also described as the termination or the joint.

[0009] Railway vehicles are different from facilities such as high-rise buildings in that they are subject to vibration and shock caused by vehicle travel. In the branch connection portion disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the mechanical strength of the connection portion may be insufficient to withstand the vibration and shock caused by vehicle travel.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cable connecting device that is easy to use in a railway vehicle and that can easily ensure mechanical strength.

[0011] Solutions to Problems

[0012] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solutions.

[0013] The cable connection device of the present invention is connected to the first connection part and the second connection part in a manner that allows electrical conduction, and the cable connection device comprises: a center conductor, which is conductive; a structure, which is formed of an insulating material and covers the periphery of the above-mentioned center conductor; a shell, which covers the periphery of the above-mentioned structure; a first terminal part, which is a part formed in a concave shape in the above-mentioned shell and the above-mentioned structure, and the above-mentioned center conductor is exposed on the inner surface of the concave shape in a manner that allows electrical conduction with the above-mentioned first connection part; and a second terminal part, which is a part of the above-mentioned structure formed so as to protrude from the above-mentioned shell, and the above-mentioned center conductor is exposed at the end of the protruding part in a manner that allows electrical conduction with the above-mentioned second connection part, and a second fixing part for fixing the above-mentioned second connection part is provided on the exposed surface of the center conductor.

[0014] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0015] According to the cable connection device of the present invention, since the second connection portion is fixed to the central conductor of the second terminal portion, mechanical strength can be easily ensured and use in railway vehicles can be facilitated compared to a case where the second connection portion is fixed to a structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cable connecting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to a cable.

[0017] Figure 2 It is an explanation Figure 1 A side view of the structure of a cable connection device.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a VV' cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the cable connecting device.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a WW' cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the cable connecting device.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the shielding portion.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating another structure of a cable connecting device having three terminals.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a diagram illustrating the structure of a cable connection device provided with an insulator.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a diagram illustrating the structure of a cable connecting portion having two terminals.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating another structure of a cable connecting portion having two terminals.

[0025] Explanation of symbols

[0026] 1—cable connection device, 10—housing, 11—opening, 17—shielding portion, 15—first fixing portion, 20—structure, 21A, 21B—first terminal portion, 22—second terminal portion, 30—center conductor, 31—second fixing portion, 51A, 51B—connection end (first connection portion), 61—terminal connection portion (second connection portion). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 9 A cable connection device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment describes an example of a cable connection device 1 used in a railway vehicle. Specifically, the device is used to connect cables (e.g., ultra-high voltage cables) that supply electricity collected by a pantograph or other current collector to various locations on the vehicle. These cables are installed on the roof, under the floor, or on the sides of railway vehicles.

[0028] The railway vehicle to which the cable connection device 1 of this embodiment is applied is a railway vehicle using an AC power supply. More specifically, it is a railway vehicle using a single-phase AC power supply. Alternatively, it may be a railway vehicle using a three-phase AC power supply.

[0029] The frequency of the AC power supply may be a commercial frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, or a frequency other than the commercial frequency. The voltage of the AC power supply may be 20 kV, 25 kV, or the like, but may be a voltage other than these.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, first cable 50A, second cable 50B, and third cable 60 are detachably connected to cable connection device 1. First cable 50A, second cable 50B, and third cable 60 have a rated voltage corresponding to the voltage of the AC power supply supplied to the railway vehicle (eg, 20 kV, 25 kV).

[0031] Furthermore, the first cable 50A, the second cable 50B, and the third cable 60 may use known structures including conductors, insulators, shields, and sheaths. Also, known materials may be used to form the conductors, insulators, shields, and sheaths.

[0032] The first cable 50A and the second cable 50B are provided with connection terminals (first connection portions) 51A and 51B for connection to the cable connection device 1. The connection terminals 51A and 51B are convex terminals that are inserted into the first terminal portions 21A and 21B described below, and have a shape that conforms to a known standard. Examples of known standards include European Standard EN50181.

[0033] In this embodiment, an example is described in which terminal portions 52A, 52B and front end portions 53A, 53B are provided at the connection terminals 51A, 51B. The terminal portions 52A, 52B are provided at the ends of the first cable 50A, 50B and are formed into a shape that combines a cylindrical shape and a truncated cone shape. The front end portions 53A, 53B can conduct electricity with the conductors of the first cable 50A, 50B and protrude from the front ends of the terminal portions 52A, 52B.

[0034] The third cable 60 is provided with a terminal connection portion (second connection portion) 61 for connecting to the cable connection device 1. The terminal connection portion 61 is a concave end into which the second terminal portion 22 described below is inserted, and has a shape that conforms to a known standard. Examples of known standards include European Norm EN50181.

[0035] In this embodiment, an example is used to illustrate that a terminal portion 62, a connecting terminal 64 and a second bolt 65 are provided in a terminal connecting portion 61. The terminal portion 62 is a cylindrical component arranged orthogonally to the third cable 60, and is provided with a connecting recess 63 having a conical inner circumferential surface corresponding to the second terminal portion 22. The connecting terminal 64 can be electrically conductive with the conductor of the third cable 60 and is exposed at the end face of the connecting recess 63. The second bolt 65 is used for fixing to the cable connecting device 1 and corresponds to the second fixing portion 31.

[0036] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the cable connection device 1 includes a housing 10 , a structure 20 , and a central conductor 30 .

[0037] The housing 10 is a member constituting the outer shape of the cable connection device 1. The structure 20 and the center conductor 30 are accommodated in the interior of the housing 10. As a material forming the housing 10, an aluminum alloy can be exemplified.

[0038] The housing 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the structure 20 is arranged. Openings constituting first terminal portions 21A and 21B are provided at both ends of the cylindrical shape. The first and second cables 50A and 50B are detachably attached to and from the first terminal portions 21A and 21B.

[0039] The cylindrical housing 10 has an opening 11 formed on its side for allowing a second terminal 22, described below, to protrude from the inside of the housing 10. A step in the opening 11 that expands from the inside of the housing 10 toward the outside is provided with a shielding screw hole 12 for fixing the shielding portion 17.

[0040] The shielding portion 17 is a component that blocks the gap between the housing 10 and the second terminal portion 22 in the opening portion 11. In this embodiment, an example in which the shielding portion 17 is formed in the shape of an annular plate having a through hole for inserting the second terminal portion 22 will be described. Figure 5 As shown, the shielding portion 17 is provided with a shielding flange portion 18 for fixing to the housing 10 .

[0041] The housing 10 is provided with fixing flanges 13 for fixing to a railway vehicle. In this embodiment, the description is applied to an example in which fixing flanges 13 are provided at each of the four corners of the housing 10. The fixing flanges 13 are provided with through holes used for fixing to a railway vehicle.

[0042] A plurality of bolt holes, namely, first fixing portions 15 , for fixing the connection terminals 51A, 51B are provided around the end surface of the housing 10 where openings constituting the first terminal portions 21A, 21B are provided.

[0043] In this embodiment, the description is based on an example in which six first fixing portions 15 are provided at equal intervals on a circumference centered on the first terminal portions 21A and 21B. However, the number of first fixing portions 15 may be more or less than six.

[0044] The structure 20 is a member disposed between the housing 10 and the central conductor 30, and is a member that insulates the housing 10 from the central conductor 30. As a material forming the structure 20, an insulating epoxy resin can be exemplified.

[0045] The structure 20 is provided with first terminal portions 21A and 21B and a second terminal portion 22 .

[0046] The first terminals 21A and 21B are recessed portions formed in the housing 10 and the structure 20 and are formed at both ends of the cylindrical housing 10. The first terminals 21A and 21B are portions to which the connection terminals 51A and 51B of the first and second cables 50A and 50B are attached and detached.

[0047] The first terminal portions 21A and 21B are formed into a concave shape having an inner circumferential surface that is a combination of a cylindrical shape and a truncated cone shape corresponding to the outer shape of the connection terminals 51A and 51B. A recess into which the distal end portions 53A and 53B are inserted is formed at the bottom of the concave connection terminals 51A and 51B, and the center conductor 30 is exposed in this recess.

[0048] The second terminal portion 22 is a portion of the structure 20 formed to protrude from the opening 11 of the housing 10 and is a portion to which the terminal connection portion 61 is attached and detached. The second terminal portion 22 has a truncated cone shape corresponding to the inner surface shape of the connection recess 63 of the terminal connection portion 61. The center conductor 30 is exposed at the end surface of the second terminal portion 22.

[0049] The center conductor 30 is a component disposed within the structure 20. It is formed of a conductive material, such as copper. The center conductor 30 connects the first terminal portions 21A and 21B and is exposed on the inner surfaces of the first terminal portions 21A and 21B. The center conductor 30 exposed on the inner surfaces of the first terminal portions 21A and 21B makes conductive contact with the distal ends 53A and 53B of the connection terminals 51A and 51B.

[0050] The center conductor 30 extends from between the first terminals 21A and 21B toward the second terminal 22. In other words, the center conductor 30 is formed in a T-shape. The center conductor 30 extending toward the second terminal 22 passes inside the second terminal 22 and is exposed at the end surface of the second terminal 22.

[0051] The center conductor 30 exposed at the end surface of the second terminal portion 22 is in conductive contact with the connection terminal 64 of the terminal connection portion 61. A second fixing portion 31 for fixing the connection terminal 64 is provided on the surface of the second terminal portion 22 that contacts the connection terminal 64. The second fixing portion 31 is a bolt hole corresponding to the second bolt 65 of the terminal connection portion 61.

[0052] The second fixing portion 31 is a bolt hole having a larger diameter than the first fixing portion 15. In other words, the second fixing portion 31 is a bolt hole corresponding to a bolt having a larger diameter than the first fixing portion 15.

[0053] Next, connection of the first cable 50A, the second cable 50B, and the third cable 60 to the cable connection device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the first cable 50A and the second cable 50B are connected to the first terminal portions 21A and 21B of the cable connector 1. Specifically, the connecting ends 51A and 51B are inserted into the first terminal portions 21A and 21B. At this time, the tip portions 53A and 53B are in conductive contact with the center conductor 30 exposed at the first terminal portions 21A and 21B.

[0055] Furthermore, the first cable 50A and the second cable 50B are fixed to the housing 10 of the cable connection device 1 using the first fixing portion 15 and bolts (not shown) corresponding to the first fixing portion 15 .

[0056] The third cable 60 is connected to the second terminal portion 22 of the cable connection device 1. Specifically, the second terminal portion 22 is inserted into the connection recess 63 of the terminal connection portion 61. The second bolt 65 of the terminal connection portion 61 is threadedly engaged with the second fixing portion 31 of the center conductor 30. The connection terminal 64 of the third cable 60 is in conductive contact with the center conductor 30, and the third cable 60 is fixed to the cable connection device 1.

[0057] According to the cable connection device 1 having the above structure, a second fixing portion 31 is provided on the surface of the second terminal portion 22 where the center conductor 30 is exposed. This second fixing portion 31 can be used to fix the terminal connection portion 61 to the second terminal portion 22. In other words, the terminal connection portion 61 is fixed to the center conductor 30 of the second terminal portion 22.

[0058] Here, other equipment is arranged around the cable connection device 1, and the space for cable connection operation is small. By using a single second fixing portion 31 to fix the terminal connection portion 61 to the second terminal portion 22, it is easier to perform the fixing operation in a narrow space than when multiple second fixing portions are used for fixing.

[0059] Furthermore, the third cable 60 connected to the second terminal portion 22 is connected to equipment in the railway vehicle equipped with the cable connection device 1. Compared to the first cable 50A and the second cable 50B, which are sometimes laid across two connected railway vehicles, the connection portion between the second terminal portion 22 and the third cable 60 requires lower mechanical strength.

[0060] Therefore, even when a single second fixing portion 31 is used to fix the terminal connection portion 61 to the second terminal portion 22, the required mechanical strength of the connection can be easily maintained. For example, the diameter of the bolt threaded into the second fixing portion 31 can be increased, thereby ensuring the required mechanical strength of the connection. Furthermore, even if the diameter of the bolt threaded into the second fixing portion 31 is increased, only one bolt is used, and the cable connection device 1 is unlikely to become larger.

[0061] Providing a plurality of first fixing portions 15 around first terminal portions 21A, 21B for fixing connection terminals 51A, 51B makes it easier to ensure mechanical strength compared to using a single first fixing portion to fix connection terminals 51A, 51B to cable connection device 1 .

[0062] As described above, at least one of first cable 50A and second cable 50B may be laid across two connected railway vehicles. Compared to laying cables within a railway vehicle equipped with cable connection device 1, the connection portions between first terminal portions 21A, 21B and first cable 50A and second cable 50B are more susceptible to vibration and impact caused by the travel of the railway vehicle, as well as external forces caused by the bending of the vehicle.

[0063] Providing a plurality of first fixing portions 15 for fixing the connection terminals 51A and 51B makes it easier to ensure the mechanical strength required for the connection portion compared to the case where a single first fixing portion 15 is used for fixing.

[0064] Furthermore, by providing and fixing a plurality of first fixing portions 15, it is easy to ensure the mechanical strength required for the connection portion even if the diameter of the bolts threadedly engaged with the first fixing portions 15 is reduced. Therefore, the required mechanical strength of the connection portion is ensured while easily preventing the cable connection device 1 from becoming larger.

[0065] Providing shielding portion 17 easily prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of cable connection device 1 through opening 11. Furthermore, providing opening 11 makes it easier to assemble structure 20 having second terminal portion 22 than when no opening 11 is provided, thereby facilitating the manufacture of cable connection device 1.

[0066] Shielding portion 17 disposed in opening 11 forms the same surface as the outer surface of housing 10. Therefore, terminal connection portion 61 can be connected closer to housing 10 than when shielding portion 17 protrudes from the outer surface of housing 10.

[0067] By forming the center conductor 30 into a T-shape, the cable connection device 1 can be used as a branch connection portion having three terminals. Specifically, it can be used as a branch connection portion having two first terminal portions 21A and 21B and one second terminal portion 22.

[0068] In addition, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be added without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0069] For example, the cable connection device 1 may be configured such that the first terminal portion 21A and the first terminal portion 21B are disposed at the end of the central conductor 30 extending linearly, and the second terminal portion 22 is disposed at the end of the branched central conductor 30, as in the above embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, the first terminal portion 21A and the second terminal portion 22 are arranged at the end of the central conductor 30 extending linearly, and the first terminal portion 21B is arranged at the end of the branched central conductor 30 .

[0070] For example, Figure 7 As shown, the cable connection device 1 may include the first terminal portion 21A and the second terminal portion 22 at the end of the linearly extending central conductor 30 , and the insulator 71 and the connection terminal 72 at the end of the branched central conductor 30 .

[0071] For example, Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 , the cable connection device 1 may also be provided with a first terminal portion 21A and a second terminal portion 22 at the end of the central conductor 30 extending in a straight line. Figure 9 As shown, the cable connection device 1 includes a first terminal portion 21A and a second terminal portion 22 disposed at the end of a center conductor 30 extending in an L shape.

[0072] By forming the central conductor 30 into a straight line or an L-shape, the connection terminal 51A can be connected to one end of the cable connection device 1 , and the terminal connection portion 61 can be connected to the other end.

Claims

1. A cable connecting device, connected to a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion in a conductive manner, characterized in that: have: a central conductor, which is electrically conductive; a structure formed of an insulating material and covering the periphery of the central conductor; a shell covering the periphery of the structure; a first terminal portion formed in a concave shape in the housing and the structure, the central conductor being exposed on an inner surface of the concave shape so as to be electrically conductive with the first connecting portion; as well as The second terminal portion is a portion of the structure formed to protrude from the housing, the center conductor is exposed at an end of the protruding portion of the second terminal portion in a manner capable of conducting electricity with the second connecting portion, and a second fixing portion for fixing the second connecting portion is provided on the exposed surface of the center conductor. The housing is provided with an opening through which the second terminal protrudes. The shielding portion is detachably provided with respect to the housing and blocks a gap between the housing and the second terminal portion in the opening.

2. The cable connection device according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of first fixing portions for fixing the first connecting portion are provided in a region of the housing adjacent to the first terminal portion.

3. The cable connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The central conductor is formed into a T shape. The two first terminal portions are provided at the two ends of the central conductor. The second terminal portion is provided at one end portion of the central conductor.

4. The cable connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The central conductor is formed into a straight line or L shape. One of the first terminal portions is provided at one end portion of the central conductor, The second terminal portion is provided at the other end portion of the central conductor.

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