Clamping device for cable connector assembly

Abstract

An insert for a clamping device for clamping an armour layer of an electrical cable in a cable gland. The insert comprises a body (54) adapted to be received in the cable gland and defining a bore (60) therein for receiving an inner part of the cable. A clamping portion (62) is adapted to engage the armour layer of the cable to clamp the armour layer between the clamping portion and a clamping member of the clamping device when the clamping member is disposed outside the clamping portion. At least a portion of the clamping portion is movable inwardly as a result of engagement of the clamping portion with the armour layer clamped between the clamping portion and the clamping member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device for holding a cable connector assembly with a cable armor layer, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a clamping device for holding a single wire armor or braid of a cable within a cable sheath. Background Technology

[0002] Cable sheaths provide a mechanical connection between a cable and an apparatus (such as a junction box). This connection needs to meet one or more physical requirements, such as resisting tensile forces on the cable, preventing water ingress from the surrounding environment, or the forces of an explosion.

[0003] The cable may include an integrated armor layer to provide mechanical strength and prevent damage to the cable's inner layers and wires. For example, the armor layer may be single-wire armor, metal tape, braid, or mesh.

[0004] The armor layer is metallic, therefore, for electrical safety, a secure connection is typically required between the armor layer and ground when the cable is installed in the cable sheath. Thus, in addition to providing a secure mechanical connection between the device and the cable, the cable sheath must also maintain a reliable electrical connection between the cable armor layer and ground. This is typically achieved through a clamping device arranged within the cable sheath housing. This clamping device has an inner part, typically a cone, and an outer part, typically a clamping ring, between which the cable armor layer is clamped and held in the clamped position by the cable sheath housing.

[0005] Different armor layers have different physical properties. For example, the single-wire armor consists of thick, stiff wires, while the braided armor consists of finer wires, but in greater numbers. To provide a sufficiently secure mechanical and electrical connection, the clamping device of the cable sheath must be selected to closely match the physical dimensions of the armor layer of the clamped cable.

[0006] Existing clamping devices for cable sheaths typically have a pair of cones of different sizes, one for braiding and the other for single-wire armor. Alternatively, a double cone can be provided, with one end of the cone sized for braiding and the other end sized for single-wire armor, and the double cones are reversibly arranged within the cable sheath, their orientation depending on the type of armor to be clamped. However, since cable sheath assemblies usually include two cones, it is possible to select an inappropriately sized cone for a specific type of cable armor, which increases the risk of mechanical or electrical connection failures during installation.

[0007] In existing clamping devices, a conical gap is formed between the cone and the clamping ring. The cable armor layer is clamped within this conical gap, but the positions of the cone and the clamping ring relative to each other vary depending on whether the armor being clamped is braided or single-wire. This means that the positions of the two mating cable sheath outer shells also vary depending on the type of cable armor being clamped, making it difficult to determine whether a reliable clamping connection has been established. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a clamping device is provided for clamping an armor layer of a cable in a cable connector, the clamping device comprising: an insert adapted to be received in the cable connector, wherein the insert defines an aperture for receiving an internal part of the cable; and defining at least one clamping surface adapted to engage the armor layer of the cable; and A clamping member, wherein the clamping member is adapted to be arranged axially transversely to the cable outside the insert to clamp the armor layer between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping member. As the inner component extends through the hole, at least a portion of the at least one clamping surface can move toward the inner component of the cable due to the engagement of the insert with the armor layer clamped between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping member, such that the thickness range of the armor layer can be clamped between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping member when the insert and the clamping member are both in their respective predetermined positions relative to each other.

[0010] By providing the clamping member and the insert, the armor layer is clamped between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping member, wherein at least a portion of the at least one clamping surface is oriented toward the inner part of the cable when the inner part extends in the hole. Due to the engagement of the insert with the armor layer clamped between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping member, the thickness range of the armor layer is sufficient to clamp the armor layer between the at least one clamping surface and the clamping member when the insert and the clamping member are in the predetermined position relative to each other. This provides the advantage that cables with different types of armor layers can be securely clamped by a single type of cable connector assembly without the need for correctly selecting interchangeable inserts, thereby improving the reliability of the clamping connection. Another advantage is that providing movable clamping surfaces avoids the need for clamping action through tapered gaps of varying lengths between the cone and the clamping ring, thus allowing for a more compact cable seal regardless of the type of cable armor being clamped, and enabling the interlocking portions of the cable connector housings to be arranged to have the same position relative to each other in the clamping position. Its advantage also lies in the fact that the total length of the clamping device can remain constant along the axial direction of the cable, which allows the relative positions of the two cable connector housings accommodating the clamping device to remain unchanged. This, in turn, allows the necessary clamping torque to be applied to the clamping device more reliably and to be more reliably identified by the cable connector user, thus making it easier to determine a reliable connection between the cable connector and the cable armor. This further improves the operational reliability of the cable connector assembly, because when the clamping device is located inside the assembled cable connector, it is easier to determine that a reliable clamping connection has been achieved.

[0011] At least a portion of the at least one clamping surface may deform itself to move toward the internal components of the cable.

[0012] This provides the advantage of reducing the complexity of the insert and reducing the manufacturing cost of the insert.

[0013] The at least portion of the at least one clamping surface is defined by a plurality of inwardly movable components separated by a plurality of slots.

[0014] This provides the advantage of allowing the mechanical properties of the clamping surface to be customized, and enables a wider variety of materials to be used for the clamping surface.

[0015] The plurality of slots terminate at positions spaced apart from the end face of the insert.

[0016] This provides the advantage of making the insert easier to manufacture, while increasing the mechanical strength of the insert.

[0017] When the armor layer is held between the insert and the clamp, that is, when the insert and the clamp are both in their respective predetermined positions relative to each other, the insert and the clamp abut against each other in the axial direction of the cable.

[0018] This provides the advantage of keeping the length of the clamping device in the axial direction of the cable constant within the cable armor thickness range, thereby making it easier to determine a reliable connection between the cable connector and the cable armor.

[0019] The clamping element is deformable.

[0020] This provides the advantage of further dispersing the stress experienced by the clamping member to further reduce the possibility of wear or failure of the clamping member.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cable connector assembly is provided, comprising: the aforementioned clamping device; a first housing portion adapted to receive an insert; and a second housing portion adapted to engage the first housing portion to hold the insert and the clamping member relative to each other in a predetermined position to clamp the armor layer of a cable between at least one clamping surface and the clamping member.

[0022] The first housing portion and the second housing portion have mating threads, such that when the first housing portion engages with the second housing portion, one housing portion abuts against the insert and the other housing portion abuts against the clamping member to move the clamping member around the insert, thereby engaging the armor layer between the clamping member and the at least one clamping surface of the insert.

[0023] This provides the advantage of increasing the ease of installation of the armor layer within the component.

[0024] The position of the first outer shell portion relative to the second outer shell portion is defined by the axial contact of the insert and the clamping member with the cable when the armor layer is clamped between the insert and the clamping member, that is, when the insert and the clamping member are both in their respective predetermined positions relative to each other.

[0025] This provides the advantage of achieving a more reliable connection between the cable connector assembly and the cable through the abutment of the insert and the clamping member of the clamping device when the clamping device is in the correct clamping position.

[0026] The position of the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion is defined by the abutment of the first housing portion with one of the insert and the clamping member, and the abutment of the second housing portion with the other of the insert and the clamping member.

[0027] The cable connector assembly is a cable sealing sleeve assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely examples and not intended to be limiting, wherein: Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the cable sealing sleeve of the present invention in a first case, before the first type of cable armor layer is clamped; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the cable sealing sleeve clamping the armor layer of the first type of cable in the second case; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The cable sealing sleeve in the first case is a cross-sectional view before clamping the second type of cable armor layer.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the cable sealing sleeve clamping the second type of cable armor layer in the second case; and Figure 5 yes Figures 1 to 4 A perspective view of the insert of the clamping device used in the cable sealing sleeve.

[0030] Figure label: 10 Cable sealing sleeve assembly 12 cable 14 clamping devices 16 outer sheath 18 armor layers 20 Inner Sheath 22-core wire 24 First outer shell section 26 Second outer shell section 28 Third outer shell section 30 entry components 31 Second Thread 32 First Thread 33 External Components 34 First contact section 35 inserts 36 snap rings 37 slots 38 outer shell 40 First Thread 42 Second Thread 44 Second contact section 46 sets of clamps 48 External Seals 50 outer nut 52 First Thread 54 inserts 56 Annular Sleeve 58 Ring end 60 holes 62 compensator 63 compensator components 64 Third landing section 66 extended slots 68 end face Detailed Implementation refer to Figures 1 to 4 The image shows a cable sheath assembly 10 for connection to a cable 12. The cable sheath assembly 10 includes a clamping device 14. The cable 12 is shown disposed within the clamping device 14, such that the clamping device 14 achieves a clamping connection with the armor layer 18 of the cable 12. The cable 12 also has an outer sheath 16, an inner sheath 20, and core wires 22.

[0031] The cable sealing sleeve assembly 10 further includes a first housing portion 24, a second housing portion 26, and a third housing portion 28. The first housing portion 24 includes an inlet 30 having a first thread 32 on its outer surface, a first abutment portion 34, a second thread 31 for engaging an outer casing (not shown) or a nut (not shown) to secure the cable sealing sleeve to the outer casing, and an outer part 33 for engaging with a tool such as a wrench to allow the first housing portion 24 to rotate.

[0032] The second outer casing 26 includes a casing 38, on its inner surface having a first thread 40 for engaging with the first thread 32 of the first outer casing 24, a second thread 42 provided on the outer surface of the casing 38, and a second abutment portion 44. The third outer casing 28 includes a sleeve 46, an external compression seal 48, and an external nut 50, the external nut 50 having a first thread 52 on its inner surface for engaging with the second thread 42 of the second outer casing 26.

[0033] The clamping device 14 includes an insert 35 having an insert body 54 and a clamping portion implemented as an annular sleeve 56. The annular sleeve 56 is shown having a C-shaped cross-section. The insert body 54 is releasably held in the first body portion 24 by a compressible, discontinuous, metallic snap ring 36 located inside a groove 37 of the insert body 54.

[0034] Reference Figure 5 The insert 54 has an annular end 58 defining a hole 60 through it. The hole 60 is configured to allow the inner sheath 20 and the core wire 22 of the cable 12, and a clamping member implemented as a compensator 62, to pass through it. The insert 54 also includes a third abutment portion 64 disposed on its outer surface.

[0035] The compensator 62 is annular and is mounted or secured to the insert 54. The compensator 62 is adapted to move inward, i.e., toward the insert 54. In one embodiment, the compensator 62 has greater flexibility than the annular sleeve 56. The compensator 62 is shown to include a plurality of slots 66 that allow components 63 of the compensator 62 located between the slots 66 to move independently of each other to provide additional flexibility to the compensator 62. The compensator 62 is shown to have an end face 68, and the plurality of slots 66 are shown to terminate at positions spaced apart from the end face 68.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 and 3 The compensator 62 is in an uncompressed state before the armor layer 18 is clamped. Figure 2 and 4 In the diagram, the compensator 62 is shown in a clamping state, wherein the annular sleeve 56 is disposed around the insert 54 to engage the armor layer 18 located between the inner surface of the annular sleeve 56 and the bent compensator 62, thereby clamping the armor layer 18.

[0037] refer to Figure 2 The compensator 62 is shown engaged with the armor layer 18, which is implemented as a braid. Figure 4 In the diagram, the compensator 62 is shown engaged with the armor layer 18, which is implemented as a single-line armor, and the single-line armor is relatively thick and rigid. Figures 1 to 4 The inserts 54 shown are consistent and can engage both types of armor 18 to provide a reliable mechanical and electrical connection without requiring modification of the clamping device 14 or special selection of a cable sealing insert from a variety of inserts.

[0038] The installation of the cable 12 in the clamping device 14 will now be described.

[0039] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The cable 12, to be installed in the clamping device 14, passes through the clamping device 14 for positioning. The cable 12 passes through the third housing portion 28, and the outer sheath 16 remains within the third housing portion 28. The armor layer 18 is disposed radially outward near the compensator 62 and positioned to engage with the third abutment portion 64 of the insert 54. The inner sheath 20 and the core wire 22 pass through the hole 60 of the insert 54 and forward through the first housing portion 24, exiting the clamping device 14.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 When the cable 12 is in the correct position relative to the insert 35, the first outer shell portion 24 and the second outer shell portion 26 are engaged by the first thread 32 on the first outer shell portion 24 and the first thread 40 on the second outer shell portion 26, bringing the first outer shell portion 24 and the second outer shell portion 26 closer to each other. The first abutting portion 34 of the first outer shell portion 24 abuts against the insert 54, while the second abutting portion 44 of the second outer shell portion 26 abuts against the annular sleeve 56. As the first outer shell portion 24 and the second outer shell portion 26 move toward each other through the threaded action, the annular sleeve 56 and the insert 54 also move toward each other, causing the annular sleeve 56 to move to the position of the armor layer 18 and radially inwardly push the armor layer toward the outer surface of the compensator 62. When the armor layer 18 contacts the compensator 62, the compensator 62 shifts or bends radially inward 56 to accommodate the shape of the armor layer 18, and the armor layer 18 is clamped between the inner surface of the annular sleeve 56 and the outer surface of the compensator 62. The thread continues to act until the annular sleeve 56 abuts against the insert 54.

[0041] Since the axial length of the assembled clamping device 14 is the same within the thickness range of the armor layer 18, when the annular sleeve 56 abuts against the second outer shell portion 26 and the insert 54 abuts against the first abutting portion 34 of the first outer shell portion, it can be determined that the assembled clamping device 14 has reached its minimum axial length, and the armor layer 18 of the cable 12 is thus firmly clamped between the insert 54 and the annular sleeve 56.

[0042] After the armor layer 18 of the cable is clamped, the third outer shell 28 is mounted onto the second outer shell 26 to axially compress the seal 48, which causes the seal 48 to expand radially so that the seal 48 engages with the outer sheath 16 of the cable 12.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting, and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cable connector assembly (10), comprising: A clamping device (14) for clamping the armor layer of a cable in a cable connector assembly (10), characterized in that the clamping device (14) comprises: An insert (35) adapted to be received in the cable connector assembly (10), wherein the insert (35) defines an aperture (60) for receiving an inner part of the cable, and defines at least one clamping surface (62) adapted to engage the armor layer of the cable; and A clamping member, wherein the clamping member is adapted to be arranged axially transversely to the cable outside the insert (35) to clamp the armor layer between the at least one clamping surface (62) and the clamping member. When the inner component extends through the hole (60), due to the engagement of the insert (35) with the armor layer clamped between the at least one clamping surface (62) and the clamping member, at least a portion of the at least one clamping surface (62) can move toward the inner component of the cable so that when the insert (35) and the clamping member are both in their respective predetermined positions relative to each other, the thickness range of the armor layer can be achieved so that it is clamped between the at least one clamping surface (62) and the clamping member; A first housing portion (24) adapted to receive the insert (35); and A second housing portion (26) adapted to engage the first housing portion (24) to hold the insert (35) and the clamping member relative to each other in the predetermined position to clamp the armor layer of the cable between the at least one clamping surface (62) and the clamping member. The first outer shell portion (24) and the second outer shell portion (26) have mating threads. When the first outer shell portion (24) and the second outer shell portion (26) are engaged, one of the first outer shell portion (24) and the second outer shell portion (26) abuts against the insert (35), and the other outer shell portion abuts against the clamping member to move the clamping member around the insert (35), thereby engaging the armor layer between the clamping member and the at least one clamping surface (62) of the insert (35). When the armor layer is clamped between the insert (35) and the clamp, the minimum axial length of the cable connector assembly is defined by the abutment of the first housing portion (24) with one of the insert (35) and the clamp, the abutment of the second housing portion (26) with the other of the insert (35) and the clamp, and the abutment of the insert (35) with the clamp along the cable axis. When the insert (35) and the clamp are in the predetermined position relative to each other, the insert body (54) of the insert (35) and the annular sleeve (56) of the clamp directly abut against the cable in the axial direction.

2. The cable connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the at least one clamping surface may deform itself to move toward the internal components of the cable.

3. The cable connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least portion of the at least one clamping surface is defined by a plurality of inwardly movable components separated by a plurality of slots.

4. The cable connector assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of slots terminate at positions spaced apart from the end face of the insert.

5. The cable connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The clamping element is deformable.

6. The cable connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cable connector assembly is a cable sealing sleeve assembly.

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