A cold shrink seal and cable joint thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to a cold shrink seal and a cable joint, both of which are used for covering the connection of a cable, and both of which comprise a cold shrink tube made of an elastic material, a support arranged in the cold shrink tube for expanding the cold shrink tube, the support being removable from the cold shrink tube, the support having a long-cylindrical support body and a tearable opening structure arranged on the support body and spirally arranged along the circumference of the support body, the tearable opening structure being arranged from one end of the support and spirally extending along the circumference of the support body to the other end of the support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sealing element, specifically a cold-shrink sealing element for communication cables, power cables, and other layers, and its cable connector. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of power and communications, various power cables and communication cables are used to transmit electrical energy and signals. Communication equipment and power equipment are connected to cables via cable connectors, and these connections require sealing protection to prevent water, moisture, dust, and damage. Currently, cold shrink tubing is primarily used for sealing.

[0003] Cold shrink tubing is made of elastic material to form a cold shrink sheath with an internal spiral core for support, allowing it to expand in diameter. In use, the cold shrink tubing is placed on the end of a power cable or communication cable, at the connection point between the cable and connector, or other parts. The spiral core is then pulled out, and the elastic cold shrink sheath naturally springs back, pressing tightly against the cable, connector, and other components, thus achieving a seal. Water, dust, and other contaminants cannot enter the connection or connector, nor can they enter communication or power equipment through the sealed area. However, this type of cold shrink tubing is for single use only and cannot be reused. Disassembly requires breaking the tightly pressed cold shrink tubing, which is inconvenient and hinders equipment inspection and maintenance. Furthermore, with rapid technological advancements and increasing equipment integration, the shapes of various cable connectors are becoming increasingly irregular. Current cold shrink tubing, being merely a flexible circular tube, provides poor sealing for irregularly shaped cable connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the deficiencies of the aforementioned background technology by providing a cold-shrink seal and its cable connector for communication cables, power cables, connectors, etc.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, one embodiment of the present invention provides a cold shrink seal for covering a cable connection, comprising a cold shrink tube made of an elastic material, a support member disposed within the cold shrink tube for expanding the cold shrink tube, the support member being removable from the cold shrink tube, the support member having a long cylindrical support body and an easy-tear structure disposed on the support body and spirally arranged around the circumference of the support body, the easy-tear structure being disposed at one end of the support member and spirally extending around the circumference of the support body to the other end of the support member.

[0006] In a specific embodiment, the easy-tear structure further includes an easy-tear strip and a plurality of top holding members integrally formed on the easy-tear strip and arranged at equal intervals.

[0007] In a specific embodiment, the easy-tear structure further includes an easy-tear line disposed on the easy-tear strip and the support body.

[0008] In a specific embodiment, the tear line is any one of the following: a short, dotted line structure that is perpendicular to the main body of the support member and penetrates the main body of the support member; an inverted "Y" shape; or a "V" shape.

[0009] In a specific embodiment, the end of the tear line does not extend beyond the end of the support body, and the tear line is provided on either one or both sides of the connection between the tear strip and the support body.

[0010] In a specific embodiment, one end of the support extends out of the cold shrink tube, while the other end does not extend out of the cold shrink tube; or both ends of the support extend out of the cold shrink tube.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, each of the top holding members further includes a top holding block that holds the cable and a connecting block that connects the easy-tear strip and the top holding block; or each of the top holding members is only a top holding block integrally formed with the easy-tear strip.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, when the cold-shrink seal covers the connection between the cables and the support is not removed, the top block presses against the cable and a removal space is formed between the main body of the support and the periphery of the cable.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the top holding block is provided with a top holding surface and at least one movable surface arranged along the tearing direction and at an obtuse angle to the top holding surface. When the main body of the support is not removed by tearing the easy-tear strip, a displacement space is formed between the movable surface and the cable being covered, which is used to realize the displacement of the top holding block.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, the top holding surface and / or movable surface of the top holding block are provided with a plurality of protrusions; or the top holding surface and / or movable surface of the top holding block are provided with a plurality of parallel grooves.

[0015] A cable connector according to the second invention includes a connector body, a connecting sleeve, and fasteners. It adopts the cold shrink seal as described in the first invention. One end of the connecting sleeve is connected to the connector body, and the other end is fitted onto one end of the cold shrink tube of the cold shrink seal. One end of the support abuts against the end of the connecting sleeve, and the other end extends out to the other end of the cold shrink tube.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve is provided with at least one barb.

[0017] In a specific embodiment, at least two equally spaced barbs are stacked around the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve along the axial extension direction of the sleeve.

[0018] In a specific embodiment, the connector further includes a removable cover that covers a portion of the support extending from the end of the cold shrink tubing.

[0019] In a specific embodiment, the connector body and the connecting sleeve are integrally formed.

[0020] In summary, the cold shrink seal and its cable connector provided by the present invention are more effective and faster than the whole-piece removal method, and avoid the situation where the cold shrink tube is easily damaged due to excessive force during the removal of the support. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cold-shrink seal according to one of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a support member for a cold-shrink seal, as described in one of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of another embodiment of a cold-shrink seal according to one of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is a partial enlarged view of point A in a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cold-shrink seal of one of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the easy-tear line of a short-lined dashed structure of a cold-shrink seal, as described in one of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a cable connector according to the second invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of another type of cable connector according to the second invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is an exploded structural diagram of a cable connector according to the second invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To illustrate the technical content, structural features, objectives, and effects of the present invention in detail, the following embodiments are provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used in the embodiments of this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] It should be noted that the directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" described in the embodiments of this application are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, in the context, it should be understood that when a component is mentioned as being connected "upper" or "lower" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component "upper" or "lower," or indirectly connected to the other component "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate component.

[0032] Please see Figures 1 to 5 One aspect of the present invention is a cold-shrink seal 100, used to cover the connection of a cable (not shown in the figure). It includes a cold-shrink tube 2 made of an elastic material and a support member 1 housed within the cold-shrink tube 2 for expanding the tube 2. The support member 2 can be removed from the cold-shrink tube 2. After the support member 1 is removed, the cold-shrink tube 2 springs back and tightly adheres to the cable connection (not shown in the figure), thereby sealing the connection between the cables. The support member 1 has a long cylindrical support body 11 and an easy-tear structure 12 disposed on the support body 11 and spirally arranged around its circumference. The easy-tear structure 12 is disposed at one end of the support member 1 and spirally extends around the support body 11 to the other end. The easy-tear structure 12 further includes an easy-tear strip 121 and a plurality of equally spaced top holding members 122 integrally formed on the easy-tear strip 121.

[0033] Please see Figure 5 In one embodiment, the easy-tear structure 12 further includes an easy-tear line (not shown in the figure) with a short, dotted line structure disposed on the easy-tear strip 121 and the support body, and the easy-tear line is a short, dotted line structure perpendicular to the support body 11 and penetrating the support body 11. Furthermore, the end of the easy-tear line does not protrude from the end of the support body 11. The easy-tear line is disposed on either side or both sides of the connection between the easy-tear strip 121 and the support body 11. This easy-tear line structure improves the tearability of the support 1, and also prevents the generation of debris during the production of the support 1 with this structure, solving the problem of a chaotic working environment and difficult debris cleaning caused by debris generation in the production of existing V-shaped easy-tear structures.

[0034] In other feasible embodiments, the tear line is in the shape of an inverted "Y" or a "V" (not shown in the figure).

[0035] Please continue reading. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The two figures illustrate the case where one end of the support member 1 extends out of the cold shrink tube 2, while the other end does not extend out of the cold shrink tube 2; or both ends of the support member 1 extend out of the cold shrink tube 2.

[0036] The cold shrink seal 100 of the present invention, by providing the easy-tear structure 12, allows the support member 1 to be gradually removed from the cold shrink tube 2. This effectively avoids the support member 1 from being too tightly attached to the cable due to excessive shrinkage of the cold shrink tube 2, making it impossible to remove normally from the cold shrink tube 2. At the same time, it effectively avoids the situation where the support member 1 is an integral structural component, which is difficult to remove or causes damage to the cold shrink tube 2 due to excessive force.

[0037] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, each of the top holding members 122 further includes a top holding block 123 that rests on the cable and a connecting block (not shown in the figure) connecting the easy-tear strip and the top holding block.

[0038] In another alternative embodiment, each of the top holding members 122 is simply a top holding block 123 integrally formed with the easy-tear strip 121.

[0039] When the cold shrink seal 100 of the present invention covers the connection between the cables and the support 1 is not removed, the top holding block 1221 abuts against the cable and a removal space (not shown in the figure) is formed between the support body 11 and the periphery of the cable. This removal space effectively enables the support body 11 to be removed from the inside of the cold shrink tube 2.

[0040] The top holding block 123 is provided with a top holding surface 121231 and at least one movable surface 1232 arranged along the tearing direction and at an obtuse angle to the top holding surface 1231. When the support body 11 is not removed by tearing the easy-tear strip 121, a displacement space (not shown in the figure) is formed between the movable surface 1232 and the cable being covered, so as to effectively remove the easy-tear strip 121 and the support body 11 when tearing and removing the support 1. In one feasible embodiment, movable surfaces 1232 are provided at both opposite ends of the top holding surface 1231.

[0041] In one embodiment, the top support surface 1231 and / or movable surface 1232 of the top support block 123 are provided with a plurality of protrusions (not shown in the figure).

[0042] In another alternative embodiment, the top holding block 123 has a plurality of parallel grooves (not shown in the figure) on its top holding surface 1231 and / or movable surface 1232.

[0043] The cold shrink seal 100 of the present invention has a structure in which the top support surface 1231 and / or movable surface 1232 of the top support block 123 are provided with multiple protrusions or multiple grooves. This can effectively prevent the top support block 123 from being too tightly fitted to the cable during installation, which would cause the cable wiring or connector to be unable to be effectively removed from the cold shrink tube 2 after installation, or damage to the cold shrink tube 2 due to excessive force during removal.

[0044] Please see Figures 6 to 8 A cable connector 1000 according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a connector body 200, a connecting sleeve 300, a fastener 400, and a cold shrink seal 100 as described in a first aspect of the present invention. One end of the connecting sleeve 300 is connected to the connector body 200, and the other end is fitted onto one end of the cold shrink tube 2 of the cold shrink seal 1000. One end of the support member 1 abuts against the end of the connecting sleeve 300, and the other end extends out to the other end of the cold shrink tube 2.

[0045] In one embodiment, the connector body 200 and the connecting sleeve 300 are integrally formed. The cold shrink tubing 2 is preferably a rubber tubing, for example, made of silicone rubber or other rubbers commonly used in the prior art. The connector body 200 is preferably a generally hollow square or circular tubular structure, with a cross-section that is approximately square, rectangular, or circular.

[0046] The outer periphery of the tube body of the connecting sleeve 200 is provided with at least one barb 301. In order to increase the waterproof and dustproof effect of the connector, at least two equally spaced barbs 301 are stacked on the outer periphery of the tube body along the axial extension direction of the tube body.

[0047] The cable connector 1000 of the second invention further includes a removable cover 500 that covers a portion of the support member 1 extending from the end of the cold shrink tube 2.

[0048] In summary, the cold shrink seal 100 and its cable connector 1000 provided by the present invention are more effective and faster than the whole-body removal method, and avoid the situation where the cold shrink tube 2 is easily damaged due to excessive force during the removal of the support member 1.

[0049] As described above, these are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cold-shrink seal for covering a cable connection, comprising a cold-shrink tubing made of an elastic material, and a support member disposed within the cold-shrink tubing for expanding the cold-shrink tubing, the support member being removable from the cold-shrink tubing, characterized in that, The support member has a long cylindrical support body and an easy-tear structure disposed on the support body and spirally arranged around the periphery of the support body. The easy-tear structure is disposed at one end of the support member and spirally extends around the periphery of the support body to the other end of the support member. The easy-tear structure further includes an easy-tear strip and a plurality of top holding members integrally formed on the easy-tear strip and equally spaced. The easy-tear structure further includes easy-tear lines disposed on the easy-tear strip and the support body; one end of the support member The cold shrink tube extends out at one end, while the other end does not extend out; or both ends of the support member extend out of the cold shrink tube. Each of the top supports further includes a top support block that abuts against the cable and a connecting block that connects the easy-tear strip and the top support block. Alternatively, each of the top supports may be a top support block integrally formed with the easy-tear strip. When the cold shrink seal covers the connection between the cables and the support member is not removed, the top support block abuts against the cable, and a removal space is formed between the main body of the support member and the periphery of the cable.

2. The cold-shrink seal according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top holding block is provided with a top holding surface and at least one movable surface arranged along the tearing direction and at an obtuse angle to the top holding surface. When the main body of the support is not removed by tearing the easy-tear strip, a displacement space is formed between the movable surface and the cable being covered, which is used to realize the displacement of the top holding block.

3. A cold-shrink seal according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top holding block has multiple protrusions on its top holding surface and / or movable surface; or the top holding surface and / or movable surface of the top holding block has multiple parallel grooves.

4. A cold-shrink seal according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tear-off line is any one of the following: a short, dotted line structure that is perpendicular to and penetrates the main body of the support member; an inverted "Y" shape; or a "V" shape.

5. A cold-shrink seal according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the tear line does not extend beyond the end of the support body, and the tear line is located on either one or both sides of the connection between the tear strip and the support body.

6. A cable connector, comprising a connector body, a connecting sleeve, and fasteners, characterized in that, The cold shrink seal as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 is used, wherein one end of the connecting sleeve is connected to the joint body, and the other end is fitted onto one end of the cold shrink tube of the cold shrink seal; one end of the support abuts against the end of the connecting sleeve, and the other end extends out to the other end of the cold shrink tube.

7. A cable connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the connecting sleeve is provided with at least one barb.

8. A cable connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the connecting sleeve is provided with at least two equally spaced barbs stacked along the axial extension direction of the sleeve.

9. A cable connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The connector further includes a removable cover that covers a portion of the support extending from the end of the shrink tubing.

10. The cable connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The connector body and the connecting sleeve are integrally formed.

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