Expansion tools and expansion tool suites

Abstract

An expansion tool is provided, suitable for expanding an axial through-hole of an intermediate insulation joint of a cable, and includes: two expansion assemblies, respectively disposed at both ends of the intermediate insulation joint and each including: an expansion module having an expansion portion adapted to expand the axial through-hole; a clamping assembly for clamping and fixing the expansion module during expansion of the axial through-hole; and a guiding assembly including a guiding module adapted to partially insert into the axial through-hole to guide the expansion portion into the axial through-hole; and a tensioning mechanism adapted to tension the two expansion assemblies at both ends of the intermediate insulation joint in such a way that the two expansion assemblies are brought closer to each other, such that the expansion portion, guided by the guiding module, enters the axial through-hole to enlarge the inner diameter of the axial through-hole, wherein the expansion module can be replaced by another expansion module of a different size, and / or the guiding module can be replaced by another guiding module of a different size, for expanding the axial through-hole to have different inner diameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to cable connections, and more specifically, to modular expansion tools and expansion tool kits adapted to enlarge cable fittings such as intermediate insulation joints to various sizes. Background Technology

[0002] When terminating two cables (such as high-voltage cables), the exposed conductor cores of the two cables are usually crimped together using a metal crimping tube. Then, an intermediate insulation joint is fitted onto the termination point of the two cables. The intermediate insulation joint retracts to clamp onto the metal crimping tube and the two cables, thereby restoring the insulation at the termination point of the two cables and improving the electrical safety of the termination point.

[0003] To ensure a tight fit of the intermediate insulation joint onto the cable, the inner diameter of the joint's inner bore is generally close to or at least no larger than the diameter of the metal crimping tube or the diameter of the insulation layer covering the conductor core of the cable. Therefore, an expansion tool is needed to first expand the inner bore of the intermediate insulation joint so that it can be easily fitted onto the crimping tube and cable before tightening.

[0004] Typically, there are multiple specifications or sizes of cables that need to be connected, but conventional expansion tools can usually only enlarge the intermediate insulation joint for terminating cables of one specification or size. Different sets of expansion tools are needed to terminate cables of different specifications or sizes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure is made in order to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned and other problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an expansion tool is provided, adapted to expand an axial through-hole in an intermediate insulation joint for assembling a cable. The expansion tool includes: two sets of expansion assemblies adapted to be disposed at opposite ends of the intermediate insulation joint, each set of expansion assemblies including: an expansion module having an expansion portion adapted to expand the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulation joint; a clamping assembly configured to clamp and secure the expansion module during expansion of the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulation joint by the expansion module; and a guide assembly adapted to be detachably assembled to the expansion module and including a guide module adapted to partially insert into the intermediate insulation joint. The expansion portion is guided into the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulating joint; and a tensioning mechanism adapted to be connected to a clamping assembly of two sets of expansion assemblies and configured to pull the two sets of expansion assemblies located at both ends of the intermediate insulating joint toward each other, so that the expansion portion, guided by the guide module, enters the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulating joint to enlarge the inner diameter of the axial through-hole; the expansion module can be replaced by another expansion module of a different size, and / or the guide module can be replaced by another guide module of a different size for expanding the axial through-hole to have different inner diameters.

[0007] In some embodiments, the expansion module further has a mounting base connected to the expansion portion, the mounting base being adapted to be mounted in the clamping assembly such that the expansion portion extends from the mounting base toward one end toward the intermediate insulating joint, and the expansion module defines an inner through-hole whose inner diameter is formed to at least allow the guide module to pass through the inner through-hole to protrude toward one end toward the intermediate insulating joint.

[0008] In some embodiments, the mounting base is adapted to be threaded into the clamping assembly.

[0009] In some embodiments, the expansion portion and mounting base of each expansion module are formed as an integral component.

[0010] In some embodiments, the clamping assembly includes two semi-annular clamping members assembled together with their end faces facing each other to define a clamping through hole therebetween, the mounting base being adapted to be mounted in the clamping through hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, each clamping assembly further includes a first fastener adapted to detachably assemble two semi-annular clamping members together to define clamping through holes with different inner diameters between the two semi-annular clamping members, such that expansion modules of different sizes can be clamped by the clamping assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the mounting base of the expansion modules of different sizes is the same as that of each other or corresponds to the inner diameter of the clamping through hole, and the outer diameter of the expansion portion of the expansion modules of different sizes is different.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second metal shielding layer is directly wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the first metal shielding layer, and the expansion tool is not provided with a separate ground wire.

[0014] In some embodiments, the guide assembly further includes a base and a connecting member, a first end of which is mounted to the base, and the guide module is detachably connected to the opposite second end of the connecting member.

[0015] In some embodiments, the connecting member is adapted to connect with guide modules of different sizes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the guide component is detachably secured to the expansion module or clamping component by a second fastener.

[0017] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an expansion tool kit is also provided, comprising: an expansion tool as described in any embodiment of this disclosure; a plurality of additional expansion modules of different sizes, each additional expansion module adapted to replace an expansion module in the expansion tool; and a plurality of additional boot modules of different sizes, each additional boot module adapted to replace a boot module in the expansion tool.

[0018] In some embodiments, the maximum outer diameter of the expansion portions of the plurality of additional expansion modules is different from each other; and / or the maximum outer diameter of the plurality of additional guide modules is different from each other. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view schematically illustrating the configuration of an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3A This is a schematic side perspective view of an expansion tool for enlarging an intermediate insulating joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the expansion module and the guide module have entered the axial through hole of the intermediate insulating joint and expanded the axial through hole;

[0023] Figure 3B This is a schematic side perspective view of an enlarging tool for enlarging an intermediate insulating joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a guide module has been removed from the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulating joint;

[0024] Figure 4A This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of the guide component of an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the replacement of the boot module of the boot component of an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the assembly of the expansion module and clamping assembly of an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an expansion assembly of an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the expansion assembly including an expansion module, a clamping assembly, and a guiding assembly assembled together; and

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the termination of a cable using an expansion tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, identical or similar components are indicated by identical or similar reference numerals. The following description of various embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the overall concept of this disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0030] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0031] As shown in the figure, an expansion tool 1 is provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is adapted to enlarge the axial through hole 11 of the intermediate insulation joint 10 for assembling cables 20, 30, so as to fit the intermediate insulation joint 10 onto the cables 20, 30.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 3B As shown, the expansion tool 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes two sets of expansion assemblies 100 and a tensioning mechanism 200 adapted to tighten the two sets of expansion assemblies 100. The two sets of expansion assemblies 100 are adapted to be respectively disposed at opposite ends of the intermediate insulating joint 10, so as to be pulled towards each other by the tensioning mechanism 200, so as to enlarge the axial through hole 11 of the intermediate insulating joint 10 at both ends of the intermediate insulating joint 10 located therebetween.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown, each expansion assembly includes an expansion module 110, a clamping assembly 120, and a guiding assembly 130, which can be detachably assembled together, for example. The expansion module 110 has an expansion portion 111 adapted to expand the axial through-hole 11 of the intermediate insulation joint 10. As an example, the expansion portion 111 can be cylindrical, having a preset outer diameter or a maximum outer diameter, to enlarge the axial through-hole 11 of the intermediate insulation joint 10 to partially have a desired inner diameter approximately the same as the preset outer diameter or maximum outer diameter, so that cables and crimping tubes can pass through the enlarged axial through-hole. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the expansion module is replaceable, i.e., it can be replaced by another expansion module with different dimensions (such as diameter or maximum outer diameter) to expand the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulation joint to different inner diameters, thereby enabling the expansion tools of this disclosure to meet the connection requirements of cables of different specifications.

[0034] The clamping assembly 120 is used to clamp and secure the expansion module 110 during expansion of the intermediate insulating joint 10's axial through-hole 11, so as to force the expansion portion 111 of the expansion module 110 into the axial through-hole 111 of the intermediate insulating joint 10 under the external force applied by the tensioning mechanism 200. The guide assembly 130 is adapted to be detachably assembled to the expansion module 110 and / or the clamping assembly 120, and includes a guide module 131 adapted to be partially inserted into the axial through-hole 11 of the intermediate insulating joint 10 to guide the expansion portion 111 into the axial through-hole 11. In some examples, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the guide module 131 can be in the form of a column, for example, formed as a truncated cone, including a conical head 1312 and a columnar base 1313, to facilitate insertion into the axial through-hole 11 of the intermediate insulating connector 10. The guide module can also partially function as an expansion of the axial through-hole 11. As an example, a portion of the guide module 131, such as the bottom or the outer diameter of the columnar base 1313, can be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the expansion module.

[0035] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the guide module is replaceable, i.e., it can be made of different dimensions (e.g., diameter or maximum outer diameter, see [reference]). Figure 4B The expansion tool disclosed herein can be used to replace another guide module with different outer diameters (d1, d2) to expand the axial through hole of the intermediate insulation joint to have different inner diameters, thereby meeting the connection requirements of cables of different specifications.

[0036] It is understood that, to meet different enlargement requirements, the expansion module and guide module can be replaced separately or individually with corresponding modules of different specifications / sizes (such as maximum outer diameter), or simultaneously with corresponding modules of different specifications / sizes (such as maximum outer diameter). That is, the expansion module and guide module can be paired into groups, with each group of expansion modules and guide modules used to enlarge the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulation joint to different inner diameters to meet the connection requirements of cables of different specifications. As an example, the maximum outer diameter of the expansion module and / or guide module is larger than the outer diameter of the cable insulation layer and crimping tube, for example, at least 15% larger. Exemplarily, the maximum outer diameter of the expansion module and / or guide module can be in the range of 70mm to 100mm, which can meet the connection requirements of various cable specifications on the market.

[0037] In some embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figures 1 to 3B As shown, the tensioning mechanism 200 is adapted to be connected to the clamping assembly 120 of the two sets of expansion assemblies 100, and is able to tighten the two sets of expansion assemblies 100 located at both ends of the intermediate insulating joint 10 in such a way that the two sets of expansion assemblies 100 are brought closer to each other, so that the expansion portion 111 enters the axial through hole 11 of the intermediate insulating joint 10 under the guidance of the guide module 131, thereby expanding the inner diameter of the axial through hole 11.

[0038] As an example, such as Figures 1 to 3B As shown, the expansion tool may include two sets of tensioning mechanisms 200, which may be respectively arranged on opposite sides of the two sets of expansion assemblies 100 (or on opposite radial sides of the intermediate insulating joint 10). Each tensioning mechanism 200 includes a tensioning band 210 and a tensioner 220. Each tensioning band 210 is connected (e.g., wound) to a clamping assembly 120 on the same side of the intermediate insulating joint 10. The corresponding tensioner 220 tensions the tensioning band 210, such as shortening the length of the tensioning band 210 between the two clamping assemblies 120, so that the clamping assembly 120 drives the guide module 131 of the guide assembly 130 and the expansion portion 111 of the expansion module 110 to squeeze into and enlarge the inner hole of the intermediate insulating joint 10.

[0039] In some embodiments, the expansion module 110 further has a mounting base 112 that engages with the expansion portion 111. The mounting base 112 is adapted to be mounted in the clamping assembly 120 such that the expansion portion 111 extends from the mounting base 112 toward one end of the intermediate insulating connector 10. In some examples, the mounting base 112 is adapted to be removably mounted to the clamping assembly 120, such as by a threaded engagement, and held and secured by the clamping assembly 120. Exemplarily, the expansion portion and mounting base of each expansion module can be formed as an integral component or as separate components assembled together. The expansion module 110 defines an inner through-hole 113, the inner diameter of which is formed such that, during assembly of the expansion assembly 100, at least the guide module 131 is allowed to pass through the inner through-hole 113 of the expansion module 110 from one side of the clamping assembly 120 to protrude toward one end of the intermediate insulating connector 10. In some examples, to facilitate easier removal of the expansion module from the intermediate insulating connector after the expansion operation, the expansion module can be composed of two separate halves, such as... Figure 5 As shown, during the expansion operation, the two halves are clamped by a clamping assembly to form a complete expansion module defining an internal through-hole.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 5 As shown, the clamping assembly 120 includes two semi-annular clamping members 122, which are assembled together with their end faces facing each other to define a clamping through hole 121 therebetween for clamping the expansion module 110. For example, the mounting base 112 of the expansion module 110 is adapted to be mounted in the clamping through hole 121.

[0041] Each clamping assembly 120 also includes a first fastener (123, 124) adapted to detachably assemble two semi-annular clamping members 122 together. The fastening of the two semi-annular clamping members 122 by the first fastener defines clamping through holes with different inner diameters between the two semi-annular clamping members 122, allowing expansion modules of different sizes to be clamped by the clamping assembly. As an example, the first fastener may include a screw 123 and a nut 124. Each semi-annular clamping member 122 may have arms 1222 extending in opposite directions, with the screw 123 passing through a threaded hole in the arm for fastening by the nut 124.

[0042] As an example, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 5As shown, a sleeve 125 can be provided in the space between the arms 1222 on the same side of the two semi-annular clamping members 122. The sleeve 125 is sleeved on the screw 123 and can rotate relative to the screw 123. Each tension band 210 of the tensioning mechanism 200 passes around the two sleeves 125 on the same side of the intermediate insulating joint 10 to be expanded of the clamping assembly, so that the tensioner 220 can cause the tension band 210 to tighten or loosen in a way that slides or rotates on the sleeve 125.

[0043] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the outer diameters of the expansion portions 111 of a plurality of expansion modules 110 of different sizes for replacement are different, but the outer diameters of the mounting bases 112 of these expansion modules of different sizes may be the same as each other or correspond to the inner diameter of the clamping through hole 121.

[0044] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 6 As shown, the guide assembly 130 may further include a base 132 and a connecting member 133. The base 132 may be formed as a generally disc-shaped member having two opposing, outwardly projecting lugs 1323, in which threaded holes 1322 are formed. The connecting member 133 may be cylindrical, with its first end 1332 mounted to the base 132, such as by threading the first end 1332 into the threaded hole 1322 of the base 132. The guide module 131 is detachably connected to the opposite second end 1331 of the connecting member 133, such as by threading the second end 1331 into the threaded hole 1311 of the guide module 131. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the connecting member 133 is adapted to be detachably connected to guide modules 131 of different sizes (e.g., outer diameters).

[0045] As shown in the figure, the guide assembly 130 can be detachably secured to the expansion module 110 or the clamping assembly 120 via the second fastener 134. For example, in Figure 2 In this configuration, the second fastener 134 may include a screw that passes through a hole 1321 in the base 132 of the guide assembly 130 and is threaded into a threaded hole 1221 in the clamping member 122 to detachably secure the guide assembly 130 to the clamping assembly 120. In the assembled state of the expansion assembly 100, as... Figure 1 , Figure 3A and Figure 6The mounting base 112 of the expansion module 110 shown is mounted on the semi-annular clamping member 122 of the clamping assembly 120, such that the expansion portion 111 extends from the mounting base 112 toward the intermediate insulating joint 10. The connecting member 133 of the guide assembly 130 is inserted into the inner through hole 113 of the expansion module 110, such that the guide module 131 is at least partially exposed from the inner through hole 113 and extends toward the intermediate insulating joint 10 beyond the expansion portion 111. The base 132 of the guide assembly 130 abuts against the expansion assembly 100 or the clamping assembly 120.

[0046] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure also provide an expansion tool kit, which includes the expansion tool described in any embodiment of this disclosure, and further includes a plurality of additional expansion modules of different sizes and / or a plurality of additional guide modules of different sizes, each additional expansion module being adapted to replace the expansion module in the expansion tool, and each additional guide module being adapted to replace the guide module in the expansion tool. The maximum outer diameter of the expansion portions of these additional expansion modules differs from each other, and / or the maximum outer diameter of these additional guide modules differs from each other; thus, the expansion tool kit of this disclosure enables the expansion of the inner bore of cable fittings, such as intermediate insulation joints, to different inner diameters to meet the connection requirements of cables of different specifications / sizes.

[0047] Figure 7 The illustration shows an example of a process for enlarging the intermediate insulation joint 10 and terminating two cables 20, 30 together using an expansion tool 1 or expansion tool kit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the expansion tool 1 is installed onto the intermediate insulation joint 10, and the inner hole of the intermediate insulation joint 10 is expanded using the expansion tool; subsequently, as... Figure 3B As shown, remove boot component 130; Figure 7 As shown, the expansion tool 1 and intermediate insulation connector 40 are fitted onto one end of the cable 30, such that one end of the cable 10 passes through the inner through-hole 113 of the expansion module 110 of the expansion tool 1 and the axial through-hole 11 of the intermediate insulation connector 10, the inner diameter of which has been enlarged; the conductor core 22 at one end of the cable 20 is electrically connected to the conductor core 32 at one end of the cable 30 using an electrical connector 40, such as a metal crimp fitting; the intermediate insulation connector 10 and the expansion tool 1 mounted thereon are moved until the electrical connector 40 is fully accommodated in the axial through-hole 11 of the intermediate insulation connector 10; finally, as... Figure 7 As shown, the expansion tool 1 is removed from the intermediate insulation joint 10, causing the intermediate insulation joint 1 to retract onto the electrical connector 40 and a portion of the insulation layers 21 and 31 of the cables 20 and 30 on both sides of the electrical connector 40, thereby completing the termination of the two cables 20 and 30.

[0048] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” as used herein do not exclude other elements or steps. Additionally, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An expansion tool (1) adapted to expand an axial through-hole (11) for assembling an intermediate insulation joint (10) of a cable, the expansion tool comprising: Two expansion assemblies (100) are adapted to be installed at both ends of the intermediate insulation joint, each expansion assembly comprising: Expansion module (110) having an expansion portion (111) adapted to expand the axial through hole of the intermediate insulating joint. Clamping assembly (120) configured to clamp and secure the expansion module during expansion of the intermediate insulating joint of the expansion module; and Guide assembly (130), adapted for detachable assembly to expansion module and including guide module (131), the guide module being adapted to partially insert into axial through-hole of intermediate insulating joint to guide expansion portion into axial through-hole; and Tensioning mechanism (200), adapted to be connected to clamping assemblies of two sets of expansion assemblies, and configured to tension the two sets of expansion assemblies located at both ends of the intermediate insulating joint in such a way that the expansion portions, guided by the guide module, enter the axial through-hole of the intermediate insulating joint to enlarge the inner diameter of the axial through-hole. The guiding component further includes a connecting member (133) adapted to be inserted into the inner through-hole (113) of the expansion module, so that the guiding module is exposed from the inner through-hole. The guide module is adapted to be detachably connected to the connecting member, so that the connecting member is adaptable to be connected to guide modules of different sizes. The expansion module can be replaced by another expansion module of a different size, and / or the guide module can be replaced by another guide module of a different size, for expanding the axial through hole to have different inner diameters.

2. The expansion tool according to claim 1, wherein The expansion module also has a mounting base (112) that engages with the expansion portion (111), the mounting base being adapted to be installed in the clamping assembly such that the expansion portion extends from the mounting base toward one end of the intermediate insulating joint, and The expansion module is defined with an inner through hole (113) whose inner diameter is formed to allow the guide module to pass through the inner through hole to protrude toward one end of the intermediate insulating joint.

3. The expansion tool according to claim 2, wherein, The mounting base is adapted for threaded engagement in a clamping assembly.

4. The expansion tool according to claim 2, wherein, The expansion section and mounting base of each expansion module are formed as a single component.

5. The expansion tool according to claim 2, wherein The clamping assembly includes two semi-annular clamping members (122) assembled together with their end faces facing each other to define a clamping through hole (121) therebetween, and the mounting base is adapted to be mounted in the clamping through hole.

6. The expansion tool according to claim 5, wherein, Each clamping assembly also includes a first fastener (123, 124) adapted to detachably assemble two semi-annular clamping members (122) together to define clamping through holes with different inner diameters between the two semi-annular clamping members, so that expansion modules of different sizes can be clamped by the clamping assembly.

7. The expansion tool according to claim 6, wherein, The outer diameter of the mounting base of the expansion modules of different sizes is the same as that of each other or corresponds to the inner diameter of the clamping through hole, and the outer diameter of the expansion portion of the expansion modules of different sizes is different.

8. The expansion tool according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The bootloader (130) also includes The base (132) has a first end (1332) of the connecting member mounted to it, and the guide module (131) is detachably connected to the opposite second end (1331) of the connecting member.

9. The expansion tool according to claim 8, wherein, The connecting member is suitable for connection with guide modules having different outer diameters.

10. The expansion tool according to any one of claims 1-7 and 9, wherein, The guide component is detachably secured to the expansion module or clamping component by a second fastener (134).

11. An extension toolkit, comprising: The expansion tool as described in any one of claims 1-10; Multiple additional expansion modules of different sizes, each of which is adapted to replace the expansion module in the expansion tool; as well as Multiple additional boot modules of different sizes are provided, each of which is adapted to replace the boot module in the expansion tool.

12. The expansion toolkit of claim 11, wherein The maximum outer diameters of the expansion portions of the plurality of additional expansion modules are different from each other; and / or The maximum outer diameters of the multiple additional guide modules are different from each other.

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